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Why did Aristotle consider humans to be political animals?

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Marble bust of Aristotle with a beard and draped robe, showing detailed facial features and wavy hair, set against a dark background. — Aristotle Aristotle, detail of a Roman copy (2nd century bce) of a Greek alabaster portrait bust (c. 325 bce); in the Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.

Aristotle famously defined humans as "political animals" because he believed that human beings naturally form political communities to thrive. For Aristotle, the city-state was the natural form of civilized life and the essential medium through which human capacities could be fully realized.12

He distinguished humans from other animals by two primary gifts: the power of speech and the capacity for moral judgment. Because humans are inherently driven to "aim at the good," they require the community of the city-state to pursue the highest good and achieve a flourishing life. Aristotle argued that it is impossible for individuals to reach their full potential in isolation; he famously noted that a person who lives outside of a community is "either a beast or a God".2

Ultimately, Aristotle viewed political behavior as a branch of both ethics and biology, asserting that the purpose of the political community is to promote the "good life" for its citizens through the rule of law and justice.2