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How does Aristotle define aristocracy?
As conceived by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 bce), aristocracy means the rule of the few—the morally and intellectually superior—governing in the interest of all.
Was Aristotle an aristocrat?
Although not himself an aristocrat, Aristotle had an aristocratic disdain for commerce. Our possessions, he says, have two uses, proper and improper.
What form of government did Aristotle want?
Aristotle considers constitutional government (a combination of oligarchy and democracy under law) the ideal form of government, but he observes that none of the three are healthy and that states will cycle between the three forms in an abrupt and chaotic process known as the kyklos or anacyclosis.
Does Plato believe in aristocracy?
Aristocracy. Aristocracy is the form of government (politeia) advocated in Plato's Republic. This regime is ruled by a philosopher king, and thus is grounded on wisdom and reason.
What did Aristotle believe in?
In his metaphysics, he claims that there must be a separate and unchanging being that is the source of all other beings. In his ethics, he holds that it is only by becoming excellent that one could achieve eudaimonia, a sort of happiness or blessedness that constitutes the best kind of human life.
Who rules aristocracy?
Aristocracy is a form of government in which political power is held by a select few privileged people called aristocrats or nobles. Coming from a Greek word meaning “rule by the best,” aristocrats are considered the most qualified to rule because of their moral and intellectual superiority.
What type of government is aristocracy?
Aristocracy. Aristocracy refers to a government form in which a small, elite ruling class — the aristocrats — have power over those in lower socioeconomic strata. Members of the aristocracy are usually chosen based on their education, upbringing, and genetic or family history.
Why did Plato and Aristotle dislike democracy?
Plato attacked Athenian democracies for mistaking anarchy for freedom. The lack of coherent unity in Athenian democracy made Plato conclude that such democracies were a mere collection of individuals occupying a common space rather than a form of political organization.
What is political theory according to Aristotle?
Aristotle lays the foundations for his political theory in Politics book I by arguing that the city-state and political rule are “natural.” The argument begins with a schematic, quasi-historical account of the development of the city-state out of simpler communities.
How did Aristotle disagree with Plato about form?
Aristotle rejected Plato's theory of Forms but not the notion of form itself. For Aristotle, forms do not exist independently of things—every form is the form of some thing.
How do the political theories of Plato and Aristotle differ?
Plato with his political philosophy is aimed at transforming politics. Aristotle aims at studying the existing forms of political reality. Plato believes the policy can be changed. Aristotle believed that politics cannot be changed.
How was Aristotle's study of politics different from Plato?
Hence, where Plato sees democracy and the other forms of government as having a fairly determinate essence or set of defining characteristics, Aristotle is adamant that there are different types of democracy, oligarchy and aristocracy.
What is Aristotle best known for?
He made pioneering contributions to all fields of philosophy and science, he invented the field of formal logic, and he identified the various scientific disciplines and explored their relationships to each other. Aristotle was also a teacher and founded his own school in Athens, known as the Lyceum.
What are 3 facts about Aristotle?
Facts About Aristotle: Aristotle left Plato's Academy after Plato died. Plato called Aristotle “The Mind,” because he was so intelligent. Alexander the Great sent Aristotle plants and animals from his empire when he became an adult. Aristotle researched botany and zoology during his travels.
Why was Aristotle put to death?
Upon the death of Alexander in 323 B.C., a nationalist party led by the great Greek orator Demosthenes came to power in Athens. Aristotle, was considered to be a Macedonian sympathizer and was accused of impiety; he was subsequently found guilty and was sentenced to death.
What is the background of Aristotle?
Aristotle was born in 384 B.C. in Stagira in northern Greece. Both of his parents were members of traditional medical families, and his father, Nicomachus, served as court physician to King Amyntus III of Macedonia. His parents died while he was young, and he was likely raised at his family's home in Stagira.
What was Aristotle's philosophy?
Like Plato’s Academy, the Lyceum attracted students from throughout the Greek world and developed a curriculum centered on its founder’s teachings. In accordance with Aristotle’s principle of surveying the writings of others as part of the philosophical process , the Lyceum assembled a collection of manuscripts that comprised one of the world’s first great libraries.
What are Aristotle's works?
Aristotle’s Works. The Organon. Metaphysics. Rhetoric. Poetics. Aristotle’s Death and Legacy. Aristotle in the Middle Ages and Beyond. The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) made significant and lasting contributions to nearly every aspect of human knowledge, from logic to biology to ethics and aesthetics.
What is the organon of Aristotle?
“The Organon” (Latin for “instrument”) is a series of Aristotle’s works on logic (what he himself would call analytics) put together around 40 B.C. by Andronicus of Rhodes and his followers. The set of six books includes “Categories,” “On Interpretation,” “Prior Analytics,” “Posterior Analytics,” “Topics,” and “On Sophistical Refutations.” The Organon contains Aristotle’s worth on syllogisms (from the Greek syllogismos, or “conclusions”), a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two assumed premises. For example, all men are mortal, all Greeks are men, therefore all Greeks are mortal.
How many works did Aristotle write?
Aristotle’s Works. It was at the Lyceum that Aristotle probably composed most of his approximately 200 works, of which only 31 survive. In style, his known works are dense and almost jumbled, suggesting that they were lecture notes for internal use at his school.
Why did Aristotle flee Athens?
After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C., anti-Macedonian sentiment again forced Aristotle to flee Athens. He died a little north of the city in 322, of a digestive complaint. He asked to be buried next to his wife, who had died some years before. In his last years he had a relationship with his slave Herpyllis, who bore him Nicomachus, the son for whom his great ethical treatise is named.
How long did Plato spend as a student?
He spent 20 years as a student and teacher at the school, emerging with both a great respect and a good deal of criticism for his teacher’s theories. Plato’s own later writings, in which he softened some earlier positions, likely bear the mark of repeated discussions with his most gifted student.
Where did Aristotle rent space?
Aristotle returned to Athens in 335 B.C. As an alien, he couldn’t own property, so he rented space in the Lyceum, a former wrestling school outside the city. Like Plato’s Academy, the Lyceum attracted students from throughout the Greek world and developed a curriculum centered on its founder’s teachings.
What does Aristotle say about government?
Government, Aristotle says, should be by those people with enough time on their hands to pursue virtue. This is a far cry from the current U.S. drive towards campaign financing laws designed to make the political life available even to those without well-endowed fathers. It is also very different from the modern career politician who derives his wealth at the expense of the citizenry. Aristotle thinks rulers should be propertied and leisured, so, without other worries, they can invest their time in producing virtue. Laborers are too busy.
What does Aristotle think about rulers?
Aristotle thinks rulers should be propertied and leisured, so, without other worries, they can invest their time in producing virtue. Laborers are too busy. Book III -.
What is the difference between a democracy and aristocracy?
In a democracy, rule is by and for the needy. In contrast, rule of law or aristocracy (literally, power [rule] of the best) or even monarchy, where the ruler has the interest of his country at heart, are better types of government.
Who is Aristotle the greatest philosopher?
Updated May 09, 2019. Aristotle, one of the greatest philosophers of all time, a teacher of world leader Alexander the Great , and a prolific writer on a variety of subjects we might not think related to philosophy, provides important information on ancient politics.
What is the difference between tyranny and oligarchy?
For tyranny is a kind of monarchy which has in view the interest of the monarch only; oligarchy has in view the interest of the wealthy; democracy, of the needy: none of them the common good of all. Tyranny, as I was saying, is monarchy exercising the rule of a master over the political society; oligarchy is when men of property have the government in their hands; democracy, the opposite, when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers."
Why is Aristotle relevant to the world?
Rather, insofar as they find him relevant to our times, it is because he offers a remarkable synthesis of idealism and realpolitik unfolding in deep and thought-provoking discussions of perennial concerns of political philosophy: the role of human nature in politics, the relation of the individual to the state, the place of morality in politics, the theory of political justice, the rule of law, the analysis and evaluation of constitutions, the relevance of ideal s to practical politics, the causes and cures of political change and revolution, and the importance of a morally educated citizenry.
What is Aristotle's political philosophy?
Aristotle's political science thus encompasses the two fields which modern philosophers distinguish as ethics and political philosophy. (See the entry on Aristotle's ethics .) Political philosophy in the narrow sense is roughly speaking the subject of his treatise called the Politics.
What is Aristotle's word for politics?
Aristotle's word for ‘politics’ is politikê, which is short for politikê epistêmê or ‘political science’. It belongs to one of the three main branches of science, which Aristotle distinguishes by their ends or objects.
What is the Greek word for political?
The modern word ‘political’ derives from the Greek politikos, ‘of, or pertaining to, the polis’. (The Greek term polis will be translated here as ‘city-state’. It is also translated as ‘city’ or ‘polis’, or simply anglicized as ‘polis’. City-states like Athens and Sparta were relatively small and cohesive units, in which political, religious, and cultural concerns were intertwined. The extent of their similarity to modern nation-states is controversial.) Aristotle's word for ‘politics’ is politikê, which is short for politikê epistêmê or ‘political science’. It belongs to one of the three main branches of science, which Aristotle distinguishes by their ends or objects. Contemplative science (including physics and metaphysics) is concerned with truth or knowledge for its own sake; practical science with good action; and productive science with making useful or beautiful objects ( Top. VI.6.145a14–16, Met. VI.1.1025b24, XI.7.1064a16–19, EN VI.2.1139a26–8). Politics is a practical science, since it is concerned with the noble action or happiness of the citizens (although it resembles a productive science in that it seeks to create, preserve, and reform political systems). Aristotle thus understands politics as a normative or prescriptive discipline rather than as a purely empirical or descriptive inquiry.
Which philosopher compared the politician to a craftsman?
This is the province of legislative science, which Aristotle regards as more important than politics as exercised in everyday political activity such as the passing of decrees (see EN VI.8). Aristotle frequently compares the politician to a craftsman.
Which philosopher described his subject matter as “political science”?
In the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle describes his subject matter as ‘political science’, which he characterizes as the most authoritative science. It prescribes which sciences are to be studied in the city-state, and the others — such as military science, household management, and rhetoric — fall under its authority.
When was Aristotle's political theory first published?
Aristotle’s Political Theory. First published Wed Jul 1, 1998; substantive revision Tue Nov 7, 2017. Aristotle (b. 384 – d. 322 BCE), was a Greek philosopher, logician, and scientist. Along with his teacher Plato, Aristotle is generally regarded as one of the most influential ancient thinkers in a number of philosophical fields, ...
What did Aristotle believe?
Aristotle believed that every person seeked "eu daimonia" as the ultimate goal in their life. He believed that every action that a person takes is taken in the belief that it will bring him closer to eudaimonia.
What were Aristotle's views on women?
Views on Women. Aristotle's views on women are seemingly contradictory. Aristotle made it clear that he valued women's happiness as much as he valued that of men's. He stated that a society will not function properly (will not be happy) unless women are happy too.
What is Aristotle's function?
A Human's Function. Aristotle concerned himself with what makes a human distinct from any other organism. He believed that what made a human different was his ability to act rationally. Aristotle believed that the good human being is one that engages in rational activities frequently.
Who believed that women should stay in 'female quarters' and that their personal wealth should belong to their?
Aristotle believed that women should stay in 'female quarters' and that their personal wealth should belong to their husbands.
What did Aristotle believe in?
Aristotle did not agree with Plato’s ideas about an ideal government. Instead, he believed in a government that worked for the common good through realistic means.
Why did Aristotle think democracy was a despotic form of government?
Aristotle considered democracy a despotic form of government because he felt that it caused competition between the classes, and it was vulnerable to leaders ruling by emotion rather than strict adherence to the law. However, Scholastic argues that democracies in Aristotle's time were different than today. Aristotle's "true" form of government in this category, called a polity, which is close to many modern-day democratic governments, relies on a strong middle class to hold leaders accountable to make objective decisions based on statute and not personal ideals or emotion.
What is the most important thing Aristotle said about the rule of law?
In Aristotle's most famous work, “Politics, ” he detailed his philosophy about the rule of law. Aristotle identified six types of constitutions in use by the city-states of Greece at that time, and he labeled them either "true" or "despotic." By labeling a constitution true, he did not mean that it was ideal, but rather that it was easily attainable and promoted the common good for all citizens. An article from "The New Book of Knowledge" on the Scholastic website quotes Aristotle: "The true forms of government ... are those in which the one, or the few, or the many govern, with a view to the common interest." On the other hand, selfish interests, such as building wealth or power for only certain individuals or groups, qualified as despotic constitutions.
What is Aristotle's form of government called?
Aristotle's "true" form of government in this category, called a polity , which is close to many modern-day democratic governments, relies on a strong middle class to hold leaders accountable to make objective decisions based on statute and not personal ideals or emotion.
Which philosopher considered monarchy a true form of government?
2 Views on Monarchy. Aristotle considered monarchy a true form of government, but warned it could become a tyranny, which he considered a despotic form of government.
Was Aristotle a despotic oligarchy?
However, when that group of people ruled for personal gain, it was considered a despotic oligarchy. The Constitutional Rights Foundation notes that Aristotle was cautious about a government run by aristocracy, as he felt that it put the interests of the rich against those of the poor, causing a fight for power.
Overview
- Aristotle (b. 384 d. 322 BCE), was a Greek philosopher, logician, and scientist. Along with his teacher Plato, Aristotle is generally regarded as one of the most influential ancient thinkers in a number of philosophical fields, including political theory. Aristotle was born in Stagira in northern Greece, and his father was a court physician to the...
Etymology
- The modern word political derives from the Greek politikos, of, or pertaining to, the polis. (The Greek term polis will be translated here as city-state. It is also translated as city or polis, or simply anglicized as polis. City-states like Athens and Sparta were relatively small and cohesive units, in which political, religious, and cultural concerns were intertwined. The extent of their similarity to …
Philosophy
- In the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle describes his subject matter as political science, which he characterizes as the most authoritative science. It prescribes which sciences are to be studied in the city-state, and the others such as military science, household management, and rhetoric fall under its authority. Since it governs the other practical sciences, their ends serve as means to it…
Causes
- The existence of the city-state also requires an efficient cause, namely, its ruler. On Aristotle's view, a community of any sort can possess order only if it has a ruling element or authority. This ruling principle is defined by the constitution, which sets criteria for political offices, particularly the sovereign office (III.6.1278b810; cf. IV.1.1289a1518). However, on a deeper level, there mus…
Story
- Soon after, he states that the city-state comes into being for the sake of life but exists for the sake of the good life (2.1252b2930). The theme that the good life or happiness is the proper end of the city-state recurs throughout the Politics (III.6.1278b17-24, 9.1280b39; VII.2.1325a710).
Definition
- It is in these terms, then, that Aristotle understands the fundamental normative problem of politics: What constitutional form should the lawgiver establish and preserve in what material for the sake of what end? Aristotle states that the politician and lawgiver is wholly occupied with the city-state, and the constitution is a certain way of organizing those who inhabit the city-state (III.…
Classification
- He then adds that the common advantage also brings them together insofar as they each attain the noble life. This is above all the end for all both in common and separately (III.6.1278b1924). Second, what are the different forms of rule by which one individual or group can rule over another? Aristotle distinguishes several types of rule, based on the nature of the soul of the rule…
Purpose
- The purpose of political science is to guide the good lawgiver and the true politician (IV.1.1288b27). Like any complete science or craft, it must study a range of issues concerning its subject matter. For example, gymnastics (physical education) studies what sort of training is best or adapted to the body that is naturally the best, what sort of training is best for most bodies, an…
Criticism
- In addition, the political scientist must attend to existing constitutions even when they are bad. Aristotle notes that to reform a constitution is no less a task [of politics] than it is to establish one from the beginning, and in this way the politician should also help existing constitutions (IV.1.1289a17). The political scientist should also be cognizant of forces of political change whi…
Themes
- These topics occupy the remainder of the Politics. Books IVVI are concerned with the existing constitutions: that is, the three deviant constitutions, as well as polity or the mixed constitution, which are the best attainable under most circumstances (IV.2.1289a2638). The mixed constitution has been of special interest to scholars because it looks like a forerunner of moder…
Influence
- Aristotle has continued to influence thinkers up to the present throughout the political spectrum, including conservatives (such as Hannah Arendt, Leo Strauss, and Eric Voegelin), communitarians (such as Alasdair MacIntyre and Michael Sandel), liberals (such as William Galston and Martha C. Nussbaum), libertarians (such as Tibor R. Machan, Douglas B. Rasmussen, and Douglas J. Den …
Introduction
- The problem of extrapolating to modern political affairs can be illustrated more fully in connection with Aristotle's discussion of legal change in Politics II.8. He first lays out the argument for making the laws changeable. It has been beneficial in the case of medicine, for example, for it to progress from traditional ways to improved forms of treatment. An existing law may be a vestig…
Origin
- Passages in Plato are cited in a similar fashion, except the line references are to the Stephanus edition of 1578 in which pages were divided into five parts (a through e).
Translations
- The Clarendon Aristotle Series (Oxford University Press) includes translation and commentary of the Politics in four volumes: