ancient political theory aristotle’s politics. aristotle 1. humanity: essence vs contingency 2....

Ancient Political TheoryAncient Political Theory

Aristotle’s Aristotle’s PoliticsPolitics

AristotleAristotle

1.1. Humanity: Essence Humanity: Essence vsvs Contingency Contingency

2.2. Classification of ConstitutionsClassification of Constitutions

Humanity: Essence Humanity: Essence vsvs Contingency Contingency

Aristotle’s description of essence of Aristotle’s description of essence of polispolis PolisPolis is that arena which allows us to be is that arena which allows us to be

human human Means we need to understand the essence Means we need to understand the essence

of man (mankind)of man (mankind) That is, to know “real” political society, That is, to know “real” political society,

need to know human essence, need to need to know human essence, need to know human natureknow human nature

Human NatureHuman Nature

What is human nature? What is human nature? Distinguish between attributes which are Distinguish between attributes which are

contingent and those which are essentialcontingent and those which are essential– ContingentContingent: those of our qualities which we : those of our qualities which we

can do withoutcan do without– EssentialEssential: those attributes which we can’t: those attributes which we can’t

e.g. analogy with personal identitye.g. analogy with personal identity unchosen attributes so integral to an understanding unchosen attributes so integral to an understanding

of what you are, the absence of which would entail of what you are, the absence of which would entail change in one’s identitychange in one’s identity

Human NatureHuman Nature

For Aristotle, human beings are the For Aristotle, human beings are the zoon politikonzoon politikon, defined by reason, , defined by reason, speech, public dialoguespeech, public dialogue

PolisPolis, then, is not production of just , then, is not production of just mere life, but good lifemere life, but good life

Mere life is necessary, but it is not an Mere life is necessary, but it is not an integral part of the good lifeintegral part of the good life

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Humanity: Essence Humanity: Essence vsvs Contingency Contingency

If Political life is so crucial, then we If Political life is so crucial, then we need to know how best to do itneed to know how best to do it

II. Classification of ConstitutionsII. Classification of Constitutions

Based on observation of “real world” Based on observation of “real world” constitutionsconstitutions

Terms we need to define:Terms we need to define:– StateState– CitizenCitizen– ConstitutionConstitution


The State (The State (PolisPolis):):– An association of citizens in a An association of citizens in a

constitutionconstitution– ““The city is the multitude of such The city is the multitude of such

persons that is adequate with a view to persons that is adequate with a view to a self-sufficient life, to speak simply” (III, a self-sufficient life, to speak simply” (III, 1)1)

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Citizens:Citizens:

““A citizen proper is not one by virtue of residence A citizen proper is not one by virtue of residence in a given place: for even aliens and slaves may in a given place: for even aliens and slaves may share the common place of residence…” (III, 1, share the common place of residence…” (III, 1, 1274b).1274b).

““Nor those who share in legal processes only to Nor those who share in legal processes only to the extent of being entitled to sue and be sued in the extent of being entitled to sue and be sued in the courts…” (III, 1, 1274b).the courts…” (III, 1, 1274b).


““Who the citizen is, then, is evident from Who the citizen is, then, is evident from these things. Whoever is entitled to these things. Whoever is entitled to participate in an office involving participate in an office involving deliberation or decision is, we can now deliberation or decision is, we can now say, a citizen in this city…” (III, 1, say, a citizen in this city…” (III, 1, 1275b)1275b)


Note, this means that not everyone Note, this means that not everyone necessary for the city counts as a citizen:necessary for the city counts as a citizen:

““The truth is that we cannot include as citizens The truth is that we cannot include as citizens all who are necessary to the city’s existence… all who are necessary to the city’s existence… The best form of city will not make the The best form of city will not make the mechanic a citizen” (III, 5, 1277b).mechanic a citizen” (III, 5, 1277b).

(recall the prior discussion of natural slaves)(recall the prior discussion of natural slaves)

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The Constitution:The Constitution:

“ “The regime [constitution] is an The regime [constitution] is an arrangement of a city with respect to its arrangement of a city with respect to its offices, particularly the one that has offices, particularly the one that has authority over all” (III, 6, 1278b)authority over all” (III, 6, 1278b)

The “one with authority over all” defines the The “one with authority over all” defines the sovereign. It is the ultimate ruler in the affairs sovereign. It is the ultimate ruler in the affairs of the city.of the city.

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Classifies on the basis of two criteria:Classifies on the basis of two criteria:– Size of the Ruling RegimeSize of the Ruling Regime– ““End” of the RegimeEnd” of the Regime

Aristotle’s Regime TypesAristotle’s Regime Types

MonarchyMonarchy TyrannyTyranny

AristocracyAristocracy OligarchyOligarchy

PolityPolity DemocracyDemocracy

Size Of

Regime

“End” of RegimePublic Good Private Gain

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Size Of

Regime

“End” of RegimePublic Good Private Gain





Size Of

Regime

“End” of RegimePublic Good

Private Gain

III. Conclusion & PreviewIII. Conclusion & Preview

Given these different regime types, Given these different regime types, which one is best?which one is best?

What is the best regime?What is the best regime? What explains the transformation of What explains the transformation of

these regimes?these regimes?

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ancient political theory aristotle’s politics. aristotle 1. humanity: essence vs contingency 2....

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