ABSTRACT
For atomism in effect rules out teleological explanation and thus also the possibility of construing purposiveness as a feature of the whole system and its manner of operation. The influence of atomism can also be seen in the common misinterpretation of teleological explanation as explanation in terms of a correlation between intrinsically characterized terms which has the peculiarity that the antecedent comes after the consequent. And, indeed, the gap between teleological explanation and that in vogue in modern physical science can be seen if the people compare principles of asymmetry with their modern analogues. ‘Natural’ movements are only a sub-class of those requiring explanation. The inadequacy of Aristotelian physics lay not in any inherent absurdity, but in its gross inadequacy in accounting for natural events.
