Definition by Cause

Final Cause

Used for statement of aims and for man-made

articles especially

A thermometer is an instrument used to measure

body temperature.
Efficient Cause

The description of activities point to the cause of

these activities.

Leukemia is a disease caused by an abnormal

increase in the number of leukocytes in the tissues
and often in the blood.
Material Cause

Refers to the stuff out of which something else is

created

That candy is made from cactus.

Formal Cause

What makes a thing what it is

The ice sculpture is in the form of a swan.

Genetic Cause

Gives the procedure or operation out of which a thing

results

Gives the mode of origin of a thing

This is how to bake a cake.