Aristotle Midterm Review

Main ideas

• city-state and political society established for the common good

• idea of natural slavery

• oikos and polis

• humans are political animals

• types of government

• virtues of citizens, leaders, and good men

• citizenship as a pratcice

• teleology and hylomorphism

teleology

telos (end) is a potential intrinsic to a thing’s nature. telos of humans = eudaemonia (happiness)

hylomorphism

differentiates between matter (potentiality) and form (actuality) ex: soul and body

inductive reasoning

observation → generalizations → paradigm

Aristotle’s idea of a city-state

a political community established for the highest good and common good. It satisfies needs beyond everyday ones through the form of the polis.

Aristotle’s idea of natural slavery

Teleological justification for natural slavery, where the sole purpose of a slave is the biological and social reproduction of life of the master. Used deductive reasoning to state that since everything has a purpose, slaves must naturally have a purpose, and since the telos is inherent, there are natural slaves. Argued there is a natural, inherent, and mutually beneficial hierarchy, and that natural slaves are inherently inferior.

oikos

sphere of necessity (family). stage on the way to happiness.

polis

sphere of freedom (city). able to pursue the ‘good life’ because other, everyday needs are met. logically organized according to speech/reason/intellect and ordered by justice. Benefits when members act according to their nature as either ruler or ruled.

Why are humans political animals according to Aristotle?

For humans to achieve their telos (happiness), they must form a community (polis) to pursue the good life. Man is a political anima because they eventually live in cities (which are the history of a people becoming happy.)

What makes man different from animals?

Man has the capacity for speech/reason/logos, which differentiates him from animals’ limited capacity for just voice.

Types of ideal constitutions

Constitutional (polity), monarchical, and aristocratic

Constitutional government (polity)

One of the three ideal forms of government according to Aristotle and the appropriate form of government that is ruled by the many. Ideal form of government for a city-state, and combines elements of a democracy and an oligarchy, with a strong middle class that keeps everything balanced.

Monarchical government

One of the three ideal forms of government. The ideal form of government that ruled by one person for the common interest.

Aristocratic government

One of the three ideal forms of government. The ideal form of government that is ruled by a few. Essentially, a meritocracy where those limited leaders are virtuous and rule for the common good.

Types of perverse constitutions

Tyranny, democracy, and oligarchy

Tyranny

Perversion of monarchy. Negative form of rule by the one for the private interest. Claims this isn’t technically a constitution because there’s no true relationship between the leader and the subjects.

Oligarchy

Perversion of aristocracy. Negative form of rule by the few, where the few are differentiated based on hereditary means or wealth, who rule for the private interest. Version of justice is seen as inequality.

Democracy

Perversion of polity. Corrupt form of rule by the many, where the many who rule are poor and free. Version of justice is seen as equality, where everyone gets everything, ruining the city.

Aristotle’s view of virtues

The virtuous life is a life aimed at the good, which is accomplished through the polis.