The Four Causes

Overview

At the conclusion of our (2022) meeting in Lisbon, the members of SEHI agreed to hold a series of conferences, each dedicated to one of the four Aristotelian causes, in the coming years (for the rationale of the entire 4-year project see this page). This causal framework featured in all sorts of scientific explanations and demonstrations, covering issues from the existence and attributes of God to the natural phenomena of His creation, including the workings of the human mind and its role in determining human values and action.

The first of these conferences, on form and formal causation, will be hosted by Károli Gáspar University in Budapest, from September 11-12, 2025.

Speakers and Titles
István Zalatnay: “Particular and/or Individual Attributes in Aristotle?”
Michel Bastit: “‘Now it is clear that substance and form are act’: Aristotle, Metaphysics 1050b2”
Filipa Afonso: “Bonaventure on Form and Essence”
Joshua Hochschild: “Aquinas vs Zubiri on Essence and Form”
Gyula Klima: “Forms of Being, Living, and Knowing in Aquinas”
Jeff Brower: “Aquinas on the Role of Form in Change”
Joshua Blander: “Putting the Form back the Formal Distinction”
Boaz Schuman: “Form and Time in Buridan”
Gábor Boros: “Uses of forma, formalis, and causa formalis in Spinoza’s Ethics”
Daniel Schmal: “The Abandonment of Forms in Early Modern Philosophy”

You are welcome to join us in person. Károli Gáspár University has contracted hotel chains, where as a participant in the conference you can book a discounted stay. For details, please contact Boaz (boaz.schuman@kuleuven.be).

The meeting will also be broadcast on Zoom. We will post a link here closer to the date.

We are still looking for venues for the remaining conferences on material, efficient and final causation for the years 2026-2028. Suggestions, proposals, ideas for funding sources are welcome!