Essay on Politics by Aristotle - 1843 Words

The subject which the question focuses on is the view of Aristotle’s ideal state. The distinction between hierarchy and equality is at the heart of the understanding of Aristotle’s ideal state. He claims that an ideal state ought to be arranged to maximise the happiness of its citizens. So happiness together with political action is the telos of human life. This end can be reached by living a better ethical life. However, he endorses hierarchy over equality. On one hand we have the equality which benefits everyone; on the other hand we have the distinction of classes meant in terms of diversities and differences where the middle one appears to be the means through which the state is balanced. Furthermore what is clear for Aristotle is that†¦show more content†¦I will now start with the analysis of the relevance in an ideal state of ruling and being ruled. Aristotle’s view on this is clear, he says that citizens should rule and be ruled in turn. He claims that those who rule and those who obey are the same. At this level, therefore, Aristotle seems to praise equality. He says: â€Å"†¦ it is obviously necessary on many grounds that all the citizens alike should take their turn of governing and being governed. Equality consists in the same treatment of similar persons, and no government can stand which is not founded upon justice. For if the government be unjust everyone in the country unites with the governed in the desire to have a revolution †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I strongly agree with this concept of the cyclical flow of power. I find it as a perfect way to achieve a well-spread equality in society and for this reason it is needed to have a more equal distribution of justice. In addition to this he then argues that: â€Å"†¦ for he who would learn to command well must [†¦] first of all learn to obey.† He thinks that those who were firstly ruled, when they have power they will rule in a better way, because they will understand the meaning of being ruled. I once again agree with this view, I believe that this mutual change of roles lets citizens think more carefully on the meaning of ruling and being ruled. As a matter of fact, if we want to live in a state where justice is its main feature we have to prevent theShow MoreRelatedAristotle s View Of Politics Essay1454 Words   |  6 Pagesorder to understand what Aristotle means when he says man is a Zoon politikon it is essential to understand the concept and reasoning beh ind his writings of The politics as a whole. This essay intends to discuss Aristotle s view of politics through the way in which he layers the fundamental concept of hierarchy of humans and natural societies to show that man by nature works for the common good. I will also discuss the conflicting views between the works of both Aristotle and Hobbes in orderRead MoreAristotle s Views On Politics980 Words   |  4 PagesPolitics is a political philosophical work by Aristotle, a fourth century Greek Philosopher, logician and scientist. Along with his teacher Plato, Aristotle is considered as one of the most influential ancient thinkers of political theory in western civilization. Therefore, it is important to understand the gist of his work Politics from our perspective. Influenced by Plato’s Republic and Laws, Politics presents synthesis of lifetime political thoughts and observations. The philosopher attempts toRead MoreAristotle s Views On Politics1031 Words   |  5 Pag eswhere Aristotle’s is coming from. Aristotle looked for solutions in a Universal manner. Basically, the principles and solutions for correctness comes from the idea that they have to be natural more than conventional. The idea of the good from Aristotle’s point of view comes from observation, he believed that the good is the final cause(there are three others that will be discussed), and that everyone can understand judgement and collective moral action. Aristotle also believed that people need toRead MorePlato Vs Aristotle On Politics And Philosophy1899 Words   |  8 PagesPlato versus Aristotle Plato and Aristotle, two philosophers in the 4th century, hold polar views on politics and philosophy in general. This fact is very cleverly illustrated by Raphael s School of Athens (1510-11; Stanza della Segnatura, Vatican), where Plato is portrayed looking up to the higher forms; and Aristotle is pointing down because he supports the natural sciences. In a discussion of politics, the stand point of each philosopher becomes an essential factor. It is not coincidental thatRead MoreEssay on The Doctrine of the Mean in Aristotles Politics2146 Words   |  9 Pages The Doctrine of the Mean in Aristotle’s Politics.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Examining the texts of Aristotle’s â€Å"Nicomachean Ethics† and â€Å"Politics† side by side, one is bound to find parallels between his reasoning with regard to the individual and to the state. In â€Å"Nicomachean Ethics† Aristotle discusses happiness, virtue, and the good life on an individual level and lays out necessary provisions for the good life of a person. He maintains that virtue is a necessary element of happiness: a manRead MoreAristotle And Plato s Views On Politics And Morality Essay1480 Words   |  6 PagesThe purpose of this essay is to discuss whether politics should be focused on morality with reference to the political thinkers, Aristotle and Plato. Aristotle and Plato have two fundamentally differing views on politics and how it links to morality. Morality to Aristotle and Plato will be analysed through their version of how politics utensils morality to carry out legislation or create a universal manner carried out by the citizens. To achieve this, this essay will examine the following pointsRead MorePlato And Aristotle s Views On Politics And Society1090 Words   |  5 PagesPlato and Aristotle are philosophers that both have an idea of an ideal state but they have their differences. While there are benefits to each of their views on politics and society, there are also many negative things about their views. Some of their negative views were realistic at one point in time but few are the same in today s society. Although I don t fully agree with either philosopher, I would have to side with Aristotle overall. The two philosophers had many differences but they wereRead MoreThe Constitution Of Government And Selections From Aristotle s Politics1009 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The science of politics, however, like most other sciences, has received great improvement. The efficacy of various principles is now well understood, which were either not known at all, or imperfectly known to the ancients,† wrote Alexander Hamilton in Federalist Paper number 9. In The Federalist Papers, which Thomas Jefferson described as â€Å"the best commentary on the principles of government, which was ever written,† writers Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay sought to articulate andRead MoreAnalysis Of Plato s Republic And Aristotle s Politics1375 Words   |  6 PagesFamily in Political Society Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Politics both accredit nature to the teleological functions of men, women, and children. Nevertheless, each philosopher defines family differently to support their main goals of finding the right type of society. While Plato does not conform to the traditional definition of a family—with a husband, wife, and children—and instead defines the role of men and women separately, Aristotle uses the family as a microcosm of political society, in theRead MoreAristotle s Politics : Government Enterprise Within The Context Of The Different Types Of City States Essay1925 Words   |  8 PagesAristotle s Politics discusses government enterprise within the context of the different types of city-states. While the work includes details about the basics of political science, Aristotle largely focuses his attention on the question of regimes during this time period, presenting the distinctive elements that compose these regimes. Aristotle structures this work to build upon the different elements of a city-state and their differences. Society is marked by unequal positions of power and privilege