Aristotle says his philosophical opponents “destroy necessity.”
So long as they are looking at the creation, his opponents are right: Nature is wholly contingent, entirely unnecessary, like art.
Aristotle searches for, and thinks he finds, necessity in creation. His philosophy is a refined idolatry.
Of Roots and Adventures
I have lived in Ohio, Michigan, Georgia (twice), Pennsylvania, Alabama (also twice), England, and Idaho. I left…
Our Most Popular Articles of 2025
It’s been a big year for First Things. Our website was completely redesigned, and stories like the…
Our Year in Film & Television—2025
First Things editors and writers share the most memorable films and TV shows they watched this year.…