ARISTOTLE

Aristotle's political philosophy centers on the concept of zoon politikon, or the idea that
humans are inherently social and political beings. He argues that the state exists to
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fulfill the highest aspirations of human life, providing a framework for individuals to
achieve eudaimonia or human flourishing through the cultivation of virtue.

# Key points of Aristotle's political philosophy include:

 Human Nature: Humans are naturally inclined to live in communities or polis. 2

 Purpose of the State: The state exists to facilitate human flourishing and the
development of virtue. 3

 Distinction between Household and State: The household is focused on basic needs
and reproduction, while the state is concerned with higher-level goals.
 Citizenship and Participation: Active participation in governance is essential for
virtuous citizenship.
 Regimes: Aristotle categorizes various regimes, including monarchy, aristocracy, and
democracy, each with its own potential for virtue and corruption. 4

By examining the relationship between the individual, community, and the state,
Aristotle's political philosophy offers timeless insights into the nature of human society
and governance.

Aristotle, a prominent philosopher, was immersed in a scholarly environment from a

young age. His father, a court physician to the King of Macedonia, provided him with
intellectual stimulation. At 17, Aristotle ventured to Athens to study at Plato's Academy.
After Plato's passing in 347 BC, he took on the role of tutor to the young Prince
Alexander, who later became Alexander the Great.

Returning to Athens in 335 BC, Aristotle established his own school, the Lyceum, which
rivaled Plato's Academy in scholarly significance. Unlike Plato's emphasis on abstract
forms and ideals, Aristotle's approach to philosophy was grounded in empirical
observation and the analysis of the tangible world. This methodological difference is
 famously depicted in Raphael's painting "The School of Athens," where Plato points to
the heavens while Aristotle gestures towards the earth, symbolizing their contrasting
philosophical perspectives.

ARISTOTLE’S VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE

Aristotle's view of human nature is rooted in the concept of zoon politikon, meaning
"political animal." He believed that humans are inherently social beings, naturally
inclined to live in communities or polis. This social nature is essential for human
flourishing and the development of our unique potential.
Key aspects of Aristotle's view on human nature include:

 Rationality: Humans are distinguished by their capacity for reason and rational thought.
This ability allows us to understand the world, make moral judgments, and pursue
knowledge.
 Sociality: Humans are naturally social creatures who thrive in communities. We
develop our full potential through interaction with others and participation in social
activities.
 Virtuous Activity: Aristotle believed that the ultimate human good, or eudaimonia, is
achieved through virtuous activity. This involves cultivating moral virtues like courage,
justice, and temperance, as well as intellectual virtues like wisdom and understanding.
 Teleology: Aristotle saw the universe as having a purpose or telos. Humans, as part of
this natural order, have a specific function or purpose to fulfill. This purpose is tied to the
development of our rational and social capacities.

In summary, Aristotle's view of human nature emphasizes the importance of reason,

sociality, and virtue. He believed that by living a life of reason and virtue, humans can
achieve their full potential and live a truly fulfilling life.
 ARISTOTLE’S VIEWS ON STATE & HOUSEHOLD

Aristotle, a prominent philosopher, held distinct views on the relationship between the
state and the household. He believed that the state is a natural progression from the
household, and both are essential for human flourishing.

Household:
 Basic Unit: Aristotle considered the household as the fundamental unit of society,
responsible for fulfilling basic needs like food, shelter, and reproduction.
 Natural Order: He viewed the household as a hierarchical structure, with the male head
as the leader, followed by the wife and children. This hierarchical order was seen as a
natural reflection of the cosmic order.
 Economic Function: The household was primarily an economic unit, focused on
production and consumption.

State:
 Natural Progression: Aristotle believed that the state naturally arises from the union of
multiple households. It is a more complex and perfect community than the household.
 Purpose: The state's primary purpose is to provide a framework for human flourishing,
enabling individuals to develop their full potential through virtuous activity.
 Political Participation: The state provides a platform for citizens to participate in
political life, contributing to the common good.
 Moral and Intellectual Development: The state is crucial for the development of moral
and intellectual virtues, which are essential for a good life.
 Key Differences:

Feature Household State

Focus Basic needs, reproduction Human flourishing, virtue

Structure Hierarchical More complex, diverse

Moral and intellectual development,

Purpose Survival, economic stability
common good

In conclusion, Aristotle viewed the state as a natural extension of the household, but
with a higher purpose. The state provides the necessary conditions for individuals to live
a virtuous and fulfilling life, while the household serves as the foundation for the state's
existence.

JUSTICE

Aristotle, a renowned philosopher, offered a comprehensive understanding of justice,

dividing it into two main categories: 1

1. General Justice:
 Lawfulness: General justice is synonymous with lawfulness, encompassing all virtues
and ensuring that citizens act in the interest of the community.
 Common Good: It prioritizes the well-being of the entire community, promoting fairness
and equity. 2

2. Special Justice:
 Distributive Justice: This type of justice concerns the fair distribution of resources,
honors, and burdens within a community. It involves assigning things to individuals
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based on their merit and contribution to society. Aristotle emphasized proportional

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equality, meaning that individuals should receive what they deserve based on their
relative worth. 5
 Corrective Justice: Corrective justice focuses on rectifying wrongs and restoring
balance. It involves restoring fairness through punishment or compensation, ensuring
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that individuals receive what they are owed. 7

#Key aspects of Aristotle's view on justice include:

 Virtue: Justice is closely tied to virtue. A just person is one who acts virtuously and
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seeks to promote the common good.

 Community: Justice is a social virtue, requiring individuals to consider the needs and
rights of others within a community.
 Proportionality: Justice involves treating equals equally and unequals unequally,
according to their relative worth. 9

Aristotle's understanding of justice has had a lasting impact on legal and political
thought. His emphasis on proportionality, fairness, and the common good continues to
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be relevant in contemporary discussions of justice and social policy.

CITIZENSHIP

Aristotle's concept of citizenship is deeply intertwined with his understanding of the polis
or city-state. For him, citizenship is not merely a legal status but an active role in the
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political life of the community. 2

#Here are the key aspects of Aristotle's view on citizenship:

#Active Participation:
 Governance: Citizens must actively participate in the governance of the city-state,
either through holding office or serving on juries. 3

 Deliberation: They must engage in public deliberation and debate on matters of public
interest.
 Law Abidance: Citizens are expected to obey the laws and uphold the values of the
community. 4

#Virtuous Character:
 Moral Development: Citizenship is linked to moral development. Citizens must
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cultivate virtues like justice, courage, and temperance. 6

 Intellectual Capacity: They should possess the intellectual capacity to understand

complex political issues and make informed decisions.

#Exclusion of Certain Groups:

 Women: Aristotle excluded women from full citizenship, considering them incapable of
rational thought and political participation. 7

 Slaves: Slaves were also excluded from citizenship, as they were considered property
rather than free individuals. 8

 Foreigners: Foreigners, even if they resided in the city-state, were not granted full
citizenship rights. 9

#The Ideal Citizen:

The ideal citizen, according to Aristotle, is one who actively participates in the political
life of the city-state, possesses a virtuous character, and contributes to the common
good. 10

It's important to note that Aristotle's concept of citizenship is rooted in the specific
context of the Greek city-state. His ideas, while influential, reflect the limitations of his
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time and do not align with contemporary understandings of citizenship, which are more
inclusive and egalitarian.

REGIMES
Aristotle classified different types of regimes (constitutions) based on the number of
rulers and whether the rulers governed for the common good or their own interests.
• Monarchy (Rule by One): Monarchy is the rule by a single individual, typically a king
or queen. In its ideal form, a monarchy is a government where the ruler governs with
wisdom and virtue for the benefit of the entire community.

• Tyranny: Tyranny is the perverted form of monarchy. It is the rule by a single

individual who seizes power unlawfully and governs in his own self interest, often at the
expense of the citizens’ rights and freedoms. Tyranny is characterised by oppressive
and arbitrary rule, lacking the virtues of a true monarchy.

• Aristocracy: Aristocracy is the rule by a small group of virtuous and noble individuals
who govern in the best interests of the polis. This form of government is based on the
principle of meritocracy, where the ruling elite possess excellence (aretē) and wisdom. It
has a perverted form called – oligarchy.

• Oligarchy: Oligarchy is the rule by a small, privileged elite or wealthy class who use
their economic power to control the government and advance their own interests.
Oligarchies tend to favour the wealthy few at the expense of the majority of citizens.

• Polity: Polity, also known as constitutional government, is the rule by the many or the
common people. In a polity, political power is shared among the citizens, and decisions
are made collectively through democratic processes. Aristotle considered polity to be a
mixed form of government that balances the interests of the rich and the poor. When the
majority acts in its own private interest rather than the common good, it can become
perverted into a democracy. It can turn into a rule of illiterate, poor mob with no wisdom.

VIRTUE

Aristotle's concept of virtue is central to his ethical philosophy. He believed that virtue is
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a character trait, a disposition to act in a certain way, that lies between two extremes,
 excess and deficiency. This "golden mean" is specific to each virtue and requires
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finding the right balance in different situations. 3

Here are some of the key virtues identified by Aristotle:

 Courage: The mean between cowardice and rashness. 4

 Temperance: The mean between insensibility and intemperance.

 Liberality: The mean between wastefulness and miserliness.
 Magnificence: The mean between vulgarity and pettiness. 5

 Proper Pride: The mean between vanity and humility.

 Good Temper: The mean between irascibility and apathy.
 Friendliness: The mean between obsequiousness and surliness.
 Truthfulness: The mean between boastfulness and self-deprecation.
 Wit: The mean between buffoonery and boorishness. 6

Aristotle emphasized that developing virtue is a lifelong process that requires practice
and habituation. By consistently choosing virtuous actions, we can cultivate virtuous
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character traits and ultimately lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.