Aristotle Thesis Defense Document The topic I have chosen as the basis for my essay is how humans fit into the scale of nature according to Aristotle. To answer this question, we must first ask ourselves several other questions in order to better understand Aristotle's thought. We must first ask ourselves: “What is nature according to Aristotle?” then we must ask ourselves: "What is the scale of nature?" and finally, we answer the main question: how do humans fit into the scale of nature according to Aristotle. We will also discuss several other principles of Aristotelian thought relating to this subject. Nature, according to Aristotle, is an internal principle of change and being at rest (Physics 2.1, 192b20-23). This means that when a being moves or is at rest according to its nature, the orientation towards its nature can serve as a justification for the event. Natures as internal principles of change and rest are opposed to active powers or virtualities (dunameis), which are external principles of change and being at rest, operating on the corresponding internal passive capacities or virtualities. Active and passive potentialities must be specified when a change, or a state of rest, is not natural. Thus, in a way, nature fulfills a dual function: once it becomes operational, there is no longer any need to request additional active or passive capacity. For the next section of this essay, I came across work by researchers EMW Tillyard and AO. Lovejoy who argued that ancient and medieval thought were both shaped by a certain ideological framework known as “the chain of being”. Sometimes called Scala Natura (scale of nature), this view considers that all creation exists...... middle of paper ......n and to defend Aristotle's theory, I have established numerous links. Many of them fully agree with Aristotle's idea of ​​man in nature. Aristotelian theory shows that man was and is superior to all lower beings such as animals, plants and minerals. Throughout history, man has been conqueror and king of the world around him. Man is also guilty of disrupting the chain of being, by trying to become more than he is. Man was and never is meant to play the role of God. According to Aristotle, man's sole purpose is to use what the earth has to offer in a way that does not harm him or causes humanity to rise above its place in the great scheme of things. Doing the research for this article opened my eyes to several other topics that I want to cover in the future. It truly amazes me how so many aspects of life can be so interconnected with each other..