Final answer:
Aristotle's term for the purpose behind the existence of something is known as the Final Cause. It is part of his four-part explanation of the nature of substances, alongside the Material, Formal, and Efficient Causes. Understanding the Final Cause helps to comprehend the purpose and goals behind things in the universe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aristotle's term for the purpose for which something is done or made is called the Final Cause. The Final Cause reflects the end goal or the purpose behind the existence of a substance. This concept was part of Aristotle's doctrine of the four causes, which also included the Material Cause (what it's made of) the Formal Cause (the shape it has), and the Efficient Cause (the agent that gave it form).
In the example of a sculpture, the marble represents the Material Cause, the sculptor's vision is the Formal Cause, the sculptor's skill is the Efficient Cause, and the reason why the sculpture is created exemplifies the Final Cause. By identifying the Final Cause, one can comprehend the purpose and goal behind the existence of things, which is central to Aristotle's logic, ethics, and metaphysical inquiry about the universe's existence.