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Why did Aristotle believe that the rule of law was better than the rule of an individual?

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The Greek philosopher Plato — Philosophy of law Plato, marble portrait bust copied from an original of the 4th century bce; in the Capitoline Museums, Rome.

Aristotle argued that the rule of law is superior to the rule of any individual because law represents "intelligence without appetite," whereas human rulers are inherently susceptible to passion and desire.1

He famously posited that a person who advocates for the rule of law is essentially asking for God and reason alone to govern, while one who advocates for the rule of a human being introduces a "wild beast" into the political process. Even the most virtuous individuals are subject to human emotions, which can pervert their judgment and lead them to act in their own self-interest rather than for the good of the community.21

By contrast, law is universal in form and serves as a stable, objective framework that constrains the exercise of arbitrary power, particularly that of tyrants. For Aristotle, the rule of law is an essential requirement for achieving the "good life" within a city-state, as it ensures that public power is directed toward the common interest rather than the private advantage of a ruler.12