Aristotle

CHAPTER FOUR: ARISTOTLE

Overview of Aristotle’s Philosophy

  • Opposition to Plato: Unlike Plato, who emphasized ideals and what ought to be, Aristotle focused on empirical observations and practical governance.

  • Practicality in Politics: Aristotle believed the state is a natural institution that exists for the sake of a good life rather than mere survival.

Historical Context

  • Plato’s Influence: Plato’s Republic, characterized by a utopian vision, was both an analysis of government and a plea for moral improvement in Athens.

  • Aristotle's Background: Born in Stagira, Aristotle was exposed to a blend of cultures. He studied under Plato and later tutored Alexander the Great.

Establishing the Lyceum

  • Foundation of His School: In 335 B.C., Aristotle returned to Athens to found the Lyceum, promoting a broad scholarly inquiry across disciplines including ethics, biology, metaphysics, and political philosophy.

  • Contrast with Plato: Aristotle’s Politics is systematic and analytical, offering clarity and a textbook foundation for political science, while Plato’s works were more poetic and abstract.

The State as a Community

  • Definition of State: Aristotle defines the state as a community that aims at achieving the highest good and encompasses all other types of communities.

  • Organic Conception: He describes the state as a living organism, where the whole is prior to its parts (individuals, families).

Evolution of Social Institutions

  • Social Hierarchy: Aristotle outlines a natural evolution: family > village > city-state. The city-state is the pinnacle of social evolution, intended for more than just basic survival.

  • Man as a Political Animal: According to Aristotle, humans are inherently social beings, flourishing only in organized societies.

Political Philosophy

  • Constitutional Frameworks: Aristotle distinguishes forms of government:

    • True Forms: Kingship, aristocracy, constitutional government (polity) aim for the common good.

    • Perverted Forms: Tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy (in the pejorative sense), which serve the interests of a particular class.

The Role of the Middle Class

  • Significance of Middle Class: States with a substantial middle class tend to be more stable and are less likely to descend into tyranny or extreme factions.

  • Balanced Governance: The middle class acts as a stabilizing force, deterring both the wealthy from oppressing the poor and the poor from rebelling against the wealthy.

Analyzing Government Structures

  • Democracy vs. Oligarchy: Democracy refers to the rule of the poor; oligarchy to the rule of the wealthy, each having inherent risks of injustice and instability.

  • Importance of Law: Rule of Law is crucial; even though individual rulers may possess skills and knowledge, laws should govern democratic societies to prevent tyranny.

Aristotle’s Review of Revolutions

  • Causes of Revolutions: Revolutions typically stem from social inequality, where factions vie for more power at the expense of others.

  • Avoiding Upheaval: The preservation of a state requires addressing the grievances of both the wealthy and the poor while promoting unity across classes.

Concluding Thoughts on Governance

  • Balance of Power: The ideal government is achieved through a balance—where no one class can dominate the others, and where lawfulness prevails.

  • Practical Governance: Legislators should understand their environments and make laws conducive to the happiness and virtue of all citizens—aiming for not only justice but a good life in society.