De Anima

Explain what Aristotle means in De Anima when he discusses “a natural body that is potentially alive.” In relation to this, why is the soul called a ‘first actuality' (as opposed to just 'actuality,' like form in general)? Then, explain what Aristotle means when he says that a soul is the formal, efficient and final cause of a living thing. What kind of question does each of these ‘causes’ pertain to, and how does each answer the relevant question? Give examples. Finally, do you think that it is the soul, as Aristotle conceives of it, should really be thought to serve as all the kinds of cause/provide all the kinds of explanation Aristotle thinks they do? (in answering this]] question, remember that the term ‘cause,’ as used here, is not always equivalent to the term cause as we use it).