Appendices
174
9. (Relates to p. 27.)
That does not mean these principles are known at first. On the contrary, they are far from the common understanding. πάντα γὰρ τὰ αἴτια ἀρχαί (Met. Δ 1, 1013a17), all causes have the formal structure of a principle. Cause refers back to ἀρχή. Common meaning of ἀρχή: τὸ πρῶτον εἶναι ὅθεν ἢ ἔστιν ἢ γίγνεται ἢ γιγνώσκεται τι ( cf. 1013a18f.), what is first regarding the Being, the coming to be, or the coming to be known of something. For the retrospective consideration, these principles are the ultimate, and to them all Being, coming to be, and knowledge are led back. Met, A 17, in parentheses: the ἀρχή is πέρας τι (1022a12), a limit, a limit-concept. In Met. A 2, Aristotle treats of the αἰτίαι themselves and enumerates the four causes we discussed above (corresponds almost word for word with Phys. B 3, 194b16ff.).
10. (Relates to p. 28ff.)