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Lammel, Hans-Uwe I. The Concept of Nature (physis/natura) (CT) [German version] A. Antiquity (CT) By assuming the early Greek definition of essential being as 'being-that-has-become' [41; 19; 33; 55; 52], Aristotle had given precise expression to Greek physis, which he conceived of as the becoming and essence of all existing matter that contains the origin of its motion within itself (Metaph. Δ 4). In addition to the material substrate, from which becoming was perceived as proceeding, the notions of shape and form ( morphḗ and eídos) appeared as the goal ( télos) of natural becoming, where physis formed the bridge between form and primordial matter ( hýlē). Self-motion was not only brought about (causality), but also at the same time was goal-directed (finality). From this perspective, physis took the place of the Platonic World Soul [65. 49 f.], the result being an orientation directed primarily toward biological phenomena [66. 490]. Individual natural essences stood within the overall context of the essence of physis. The living being achieved its own nature in entelechy, where …

Lammel, Hans-Uwe I. Anthropology (CT) [German version] A. Definition (CT) Physiognomy has as its object the "expression of an awareness tending toward silence" [16. 91]; it tries to discover and present a relation between an individual's external appearance and his character, disposition or destiny. In this process, external signs and indications (facial features, facial expression, form of the head, posture, gestures, language etc.) provide an opportunity…