I. Greco-Roman

The word is formed from the Greek αἴτιον/aition (reason, ground) and λόγος/lógos (doctrine). Aristotle (Metaph. 982b–983a) sees the first steps toward a “scientific” explanation of the world in the curious astonishment to which one feels compelled in the face of the phenomenal world before one's eyes. The question concerning the why, the aetion, that gives rise to the aetiology encompasses all aspects of life, from the appearance of the plan…