Aristotle's Politics (Aristotle)

What are Aristotle's qualities of a good citizen? Is a good citizen necessarily a good person?

Aristotle considers a good citizen one who can hold any office and one who knows how to rule and be ruled within his/her respective government. A good person is not always a good citizen. A good person is the same no matter what constitution they are under. However, a good citizen is only a good person when they are under an ideal constitution.

What is the best constitution for most circumstances?

Aristotle considers a middle or mixed constitution to be the best, since the middle class isn't too busy or worried about money to engage in politics.

Which, according to Aristotle, is the best and which is the worst constitution?

Aristotle considers tyranny the worst constitution and a mixed constitution the best.

Explain what Aristotle means when he says,"Man is by nature a political animal".

Aristotle means that, naturally, all humans want to form associations/live and work together. Without society, he says, man is like a hand without a body and cannot function efficiently. For proof, he points to the creation of language (which allows for more complex relationships). He even asserts that anyone without a state is either an animal (unable to reason) or god (can be self-sufficient, secure, virtuous without a state)

What is the best life for a human being? Is it active or passive?

Aristotle says the active life is best since he considers philosophy to be active. He also says philosophy before other action is necessary to do anything of meaning, otherwise you are simply doing things to do things.

What are the types of constitutions according to Aristotle?

Aristotle says there are six types of constitutions; three good and three perverted forms of the good constitutions. They are... 1) Monarchy: One person ruling for the good of the people 2) Tyranny: One person ruling for the good of him/herself 3) Polity: All people ruling for the good of everyone 4) Democracy: All people ruling for themselves 5) Aristocracy: A select group of people ruling for the good of everyone 6) Oligarchy: A select group of people ruling for their own gain The difference between the good and perverted forms are that the good rule for the best interest of the people and bad rule for the best interest of those holding the power.

Should we give political power to the masses? Why or why not?

Aristotle would say no- many people are not engaged enough to be good citizens. For the poor, they don't have enough time because they are too concerned about living day to day and making enough money. For the rich, they are rich because they devote all their time to their wealth. Good citizens can be found only in the middle class; they have time since they have enough money but they also don't have so much money that they spent all their time trying to make money.

What is Aristotle's ideal/perfect constitution?

Aristotle's ideal/perfect constitution is not too highly populated (crimes, harder to find most virtuous, Aristotle didn't like immigrants) but not too small either (needs to be able to sustain itself/be productive on its own). It has good land quality, good location, and would not be too spirited or lack skill/intellect. The society would divide tasks. The young would be soldiers and older/wiser would be politicians (everyones is a soldier at some point). Property would be communal (slaves and noncitizens could not own property)...

What is the goal of political science according to Aristotle?

Happiness

What are Aristotle's criticisms of Plato?

He has two main criticisms of Plato's... 1) Community of Wives- Aristotle believes Plato's community of wives would not create unity, but rather plurality. This would lead to an inability to be self-sufficient as a state (not enough variety of professions). He also believed the community would dilute feelings towards each other since he believed family strengthened ties to your state by creating loyalty to each other. (Aristotle also believed unity would be created through education, but education only). 2) Ideas about property- Aristotle thought property should be private but its use communal- this would create good character since people are naturally selfish but would have to disregard selfishness to share property.

According to Aristotle, what are some possible claims to political power? (3)

He mentions three... 1) Wealth: they were able to get a lot of money so they must know a lot about the economy- Aristotle says this is a fallacy. Just because they know how to handle money and know how the economy works does not mean they know how to rule over a state. 2) Nobility: people recognize your family name and associate you with your family. If your mom was amazing, you will be too- Again, Aristotle says this is factually incorrect. Your name does not imply anything other than blood. 3) Virtue: Aristotle considers virtue to be the only valid claim to political power. He also says some people are so virtuous that you should automatically name them as king. He says you will never be afraid to give someone of so much virtue political power.

Describe the types of rule and the relationships between the parties in each.

Statesmanship: Like a husband-wife relationship. Neither necessarily has more power over the other and each can rule and, in turn, be ruled. Kingship: Like a master-slave relationship. The one is assumed to have greater knowledge over the other and the ability to make better decision, so he holds all of the power. The slave simply needs to carry out the orders/obey.

What is the polis? Why is it "natural"?

The polis is an association formed for a specific purpose; it is the natural statesmanship/association. Aristotle considers the polis natural because it's roots are found in the family (family>village>polis) , and Aristotle considers the end result of something its natural state. He says the nature of something is its final condition.

What are the types of slavery - what makes slavery legitimate according to Aristotle?

Two types of slavery- legal slavery and natural slavery. Legal: when someone is made into a slave by mere force. Aristotle says legal slavery is not just. Natural: when someone is a slave by nature- they cannot reason and therefore should not be allowed to act by their own accord. This person would be a slave no matter where they were.