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Unit-2 Aristotle Notes | Western Political Philosophy | BA HONS POLITICAL SCIENCE

Writer's picture: Krati SahuKrati Sahu

Aristotle (385–322 BC)

Introduction

  • Birth & Early Life: Born in Stagira, Greece; son of Nicomachus, a physician to the Macedonian king.

  • Education: Studied under Plato at the Academy for 20 years, leaving after Plato's death in 347 BC.

  • Career:

    • Served at Hermias’ court; later became tutor to Alexander the Great (342 BC).

    • Founded the Lyceum in Athens, focusing on empirical research.

  • Death: Fled Athens after Alexander's death due to anti-Macedonian sentiment; died in 322 BC in Chalcis.

Major Works

  • Key texts include Metaphysics, Politics, Nicomachean Ethics, Poetics, and De Anima.



Aristotle vs. Plato

  • Ideal & Reality: Plato emphasized transcendent forms; Aristotle grounded ideas in material reality.

  • Knowledge: Plato prioritized dialectics; Aristotle categorized knowledge as practical, productive, or theoretical.

  • Forms: Plato’s forms exist independently; Aristotle argued they are intrinsic to objects.

  • State & Family: Plato suggested communal ownership; Aristotle upheld family and private property as natural.

  • Rulers: Plato supported philosopher-kings; Aristotle warned against elite stagnation, emphasizing practical wisdom.



Methodology

  • Empirical Approach: Advocated observation and analysis over Plato’s dialectics.

  • Four Causes:

    • Material, Efficient, Formal, and Final Cause (telos), with the final cause being the ultimate purpose.

  • Teleology: All things aim toward their natural purpose, guiding Aristotle’s ethics, metaphysics, and politics.



Virtue & Ethics

  • Eudaimonia: Happiness or flourishing as the ultimate goal, achieved through virtue.

  • Golden Mean: Virtue lies between extremes (e.g., courage is between recklessness and cowardice).

  • Social Nature: Humans are political animals (zoon politikon), flourishing in communities.

  • State's Role: Enables citizens to achieve moral and intellectual virtues through participation.



Theory of the State

  • Teleological Basis: The state is a natural evolution of human association, from family to village to polis.

  • Man as Political Animal: Humans naturally seek communities due to speech and reason.

  • State’s Purpose: Cultivates virtues and ensures the highest good for its citizens.

  • Key Features:

    • Natural and necessary institution.

    • Greater than the individual, enabling moral and intellectual development.

    • Rejects social contract theories; emphasizes organic growth of the state.



Aristotle's Views on Rule of Law and Constitution

  1. Rule of Law:

    • Law embodies collective wisdom and ensures justice.

    • Impersonal and fair laws guide citizens toward a virtuous life.

  2. Constitution:

    • Reflects ethical values and structures political institutions.

    • Combines ethical goals (ideal citizen) and institutional frameworks (power distribution).

  3. Key Elements of Constitutional Rule:

    • Common Interest: Aims at collective good.

    • No Arbitrary Power: Authority is constrained by law.

    • Consent over Force: Legitimacy through consent, not coercion.

  4. Government Classification:

    • Good Forms: Monarchy, Aristocracy, Polity.

    • Corrupt Forms: Tyranny, Oligarchy, Democracy.

  5. Polity as the Best Practicable Government:

    • Mix of democracy and oligarchy with middle-class rulers.

    • Stability stems from balanced governance and rational decision-making.

  6. Ideal State:

    • Based on constitutional monarchy with moral virtues.

    • Citizenship defined by active political participation.

  7. Justice:

    • Supreme virtue of the state, encompassing distributive (merit-based) and corrective (restorative) justice.

  8. Property and Economy:

    • Advocates private property but opposes excessive wealth accumulation.

    • Supports natural acquisition for needs over profit-driven trade.

  9. Slavery:

    • Views slavery as natural for some, based on inherent qualities.

  10. Revolution:

    • Driven by desires for equality or superiority, wealth, and honor.

    • Causes include inequality, corruption, power concentration, and discontent.

    • Prevention measures: Adherence to laws, power checks, citizen education, and conflict management.





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5つ星のうち3と評価されています。

does not include works of Aristotle

いいね!
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