The "Metaphysics" of Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) founded the science of being as being and gave its name to the 'First Philosophy'. Starting from the single thing, which can only be known by the reduction to general principles, Aristotle establishes the doctrine of the four causes on which every being is based: matter (causa materialis), form (causa formalis), cause of motion (causa efficiens) and cause of purpose (causa finalis). The "Metaphysics" is the fundamental work of philosophy as a science.