Book 12
3
Now thought is moved by the intelligible, and one of the series of contrariesAristotle himself recognizes two series, lists or columns of contraries, similar to those of the Pythagoreans (Aristot. Met. 1.5.6). One, the positive, contains being, unity, substance, etc.; the other is negative and contains not-being, plurality, non-substance, etc. The negative terms are intelligible only in reference to the positive. Cf. Aristot. Met. 4.2.21. is essentially intelligible. In this series substance stands first, and of substance that which is simple and exists actually. (The one and the simple are not the same; for one signifies a measure,Cf Aristot. Met. 5.6.17. whereas simple means that the subject itself is in a certain state.)
4
But the Good, and that which is in itself desirable, are also in the same series; and that which is first in a class is always best or analogous to the best.
4
That the final cause may apply to immovable things is shown by the distinction of its meanings. For the final cause is not only the good for something, but also the good which is the end of some action. In the latter sense it applies to immovable things, although in the former it does not; and it causes motion as being an object of love, whereas all other things cause motion because they are themselves in motion.
