Media and Formal Cause

* Book: McLuhan, Marshall, and Eric McLuhan. Media and Formal Cause. Gingko Press, 2011.

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Description

Published posthumously, Media and Formal Cause explores the Aristotelian concept of formal causation in relation to media theory. The McLuhans argue that media function as formal causes, structuring human perception and cognition in ways that transcend content. The book examines how different media environments—from oral traditions to digital networks—reshape thought patterns, social organization, and cultural evolution. It serves as a deeper philosophical foundation for McLuhan’s earlier work, emphasizing the role of media as active agents rather than passive tools.