Politics
Quick Summary
Aristotle's political philosophy, as presented in his work Politics, views the city-state (polis) as the natural and highest form of human community, essential for individuals to realize their full potential. He famously defined humans as "political animals" whose capacity for speech allows them to discern the expedient and the just.123
Aristotle's approach was empirical, analyzing existing constitutions to understand good governance and its preservation. He classified governments based on the number of rulers and their aims: monarchy (one ruler for the common good) versus tyranny (one ruler for self-interest); aristocracy (few rulers for the common good) versus oligarchy (few rulers for self-interest); and polity (many rulers for the common good) versus democracy (mob rule). He favored polity, a mixed constitution where citizens respect each other's rights and the best-qualified rule with consent. A key principle is the rule of law, which Aristotle believed was superior to the rule of any single individual.124
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- classical scholarshipBeginnings
…comic festivals, and supplemented his Politics with a collection of 158 studies of the constitutions of various Greek states. He also carried further the discussion of the constituent parts of a sentence and discussed the nature of synonyms, compounds, and rare words in early poetry.
Read More…comic festivals, and supplemented his Politics with a collection of 158 studies of the constitutions of various Greek states. He also carried further the discussion of the constituent parts of a sentence and discussed the nature of synonyms, compounds, and rare words in early poetry.
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ancient Greek civilizationHistorical writingsAristotle’s Politics examines the theoretical conceptions underlying Greek attitudes toward polis life. This is a precious document, although it can be criticized for insufficient awareness of the monarchical and federal developments of the age.
Read MoreAristotle’s Politics examines the theoretical conceptions underlying Greek attitudes toward polis life. This is a precious document, although it can be criticized for insufficient awareness of the monarchical and federal developments of the age.
Read More
- common good
In Book I of the Politics, Aristotle asserted that man is political by nature. It is only through participation as citizens in the political community, or polis, provided by the state that men may achieve the common good of community safety—only as citizens and through active engagement with politics, whether…
Read MoreIn Book I of the Politics, Aristotle asserted that man is political by nature. It is only through participation as citizens in the political community, or polis, provided by the state that men may achieve the common good of community safety—only as citizens and through active engagement with politics, whether…
Read More - tyrannyClassic definitions
of tyranny comes from Aristotle’s Politics: “Any sole ruler, who is not required to give an account of himself, and who rules over subjects all equal or superior to himself to suit his own interest and not theirs, can only be exercising a tyranny.” Aristotle presents tyranny in a very…
Read Moreof tyranny comes from Aristotle’s Politics: “Any sole ruler, who is not required to give an account of himself, and who rules over subjects all equal or superior to himself to suit his own interest and not theirs, can only be exercising a tyranny.” Aristotle presents tyranny in a very…
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