The "Metaphysics" of Aristotle (384-322 BC) established the science of being as being and gave the first philosophy its name. Starting from the individual thing, which can only be understood by referring back to general principles, Aristotle presents the doctrine of the four causes on which every being is founded: matter (causa materialis), form (causa formalis), efficient cause (causa efficiens), and final cause (causa finalis). The "Metaphysics" is the foundational work of philosophy as a science.