Politics
by Aristotle
'Politics' Summary
In the first book, Aristotle discusses the city (polis) or "political community" (koinōnia politikē) as opposed to other types of communities and partnerships such as the household (oikos) and village. The highest form of community is the polis. Aristotle comes to this conclusion because he believes the public life is far more virtuous than the private and because men are "political animals". He begins with the relationship between the city and man (I. 1–2), and then specifically discusses the household (oikos) (I. 3–13). He takes issue with the view that political rule, kingly rule, rule over slaves and rule over a household or village are only different in size. He then examines in what way the city may be said to be natural.
Aristotle discusses the parts of the household (oikos), which includes slaves, leading to a discussion of whether slavery can ever be just and better for the person enslaved or is always unjust and bad. He distinguishes between those who are slaves because the law says they are and those who are slaves by nature, saying the inquiry hinges on whether there are any such natural slaves. Only someone as different from other people as the body is from the soul or beasts are from human beings would be a slave by nature, Aristotle concludes, all others being slaves solely by law or convention. Some scholars have therefore concluded that the qualifications for natural slavery preclude the existence of such a being.
Aristotle then moves to the question of property in general, arguing that the acquisition of property does not form a part of household management (oikonomike) and criticizing those who take it too seriously. It is necessary, but that does not make it a part of household management any more than it makes medicine a part of household management just because health is necessary. He criticizes income based upon trade and upon interest, saying that those who become avaricious do so because they forget that money merely symbolizes wealth without being wealth and "contrary to nature" on interest because it increases by itself not through exchange.
Book I concludes with Aristotle's assertion that the proper object of household rule is the virtuous character of one's wife and children, not the management of slaves or the acquisition of property. Rule over the slaves is despotic, rule over children kingly, and rule over one's wife political (except there is no rotation in office). Aristotle questions whether it is sensible to speak of the "virtue" of a slave and whether the "virtues" of a wife and children are the same as those of a man before saying that because the city must be concerned that its women and children be virtuous, the virtues that the father should instill are dependent upon the regime and so the discussion must turn to what has been said about the best regime.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
Ancient GreekPublished In
Genre/Category
Tags/Keywords
Authors
Aristotle
Greece
Aristotle (384–322 BC) was a Greek philosopher and polymath during the Classical period in Ancient Greece. Taught by Plato, he was the founder of the Lyceum, the Peripatetic school of philosophy...
Books by AristotleDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, Compiled from her Letters and Journals by Charles Edward Stowe
This book offers a deeply personal portrait of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' through her own letters and journals. It prov...
Bíblia (Almeida) 21: Ecclesiastes by Almeida Version
O Eclesiastes é um livro da Bíblia que explora a natureza da vida e a busca pelo significado. O autor, conhecido como o Pregador, reflete sobre a futi...
The Chronicles of America Volume 13 - The Fathers of the Constitution by Max Farrand
Uncover the hidden secrets and pivotal decisions that shaped the very foundation of the United States in "The Fathers of the Constitution," Volume 13...
World’s Famous Orations, Vol. II: Rome by William Jennings Bryan
This book, 'World's Famous Orations, Vol. II: Rome,' is a collection of renowned speeches delivered by prominent Roman statesmen. Compiled by William...
The Kingdom of Wisdom by Jiddu Krishnamurti
It is a thought-provoking book that explores the nature of happiness and the keys to finding lasting fulfillment. This book offers valuable insights a...
The History of England, from the Accession of James II - (Volume 1, Chapter 01) by Thomas Babington Macaulay
The History of England from the Accession of James the Second (1848) is the full title of the five-volume work by Lord Macaulay (1800–1859) more gener...
State of the Union Addresses by United States Presidents (1869 - 1876) by Ulysses S. Grant
This album contains recordings of State of the Union addresses from Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States. These addresses provide...
The Pentecost of Calamity by Owen Wister
Appalled by the savagery of World War I, Owen Wister in 1915 published an attempt to move the United States out of neutrality into joining the Allies...
Trostschrift an Marcia by Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 v. Chr.–65 n. Chr.) gibt stoische Grundsätze zum Tod und zur Trauer. Übersetzung durch Albert Forbiger (1798-1878) von 1867....
The Ukraine by George Raffalovich
It provides an insightful look into the history, culture, and people of Ukraine. The book was first published in 1913 and is still relevant today as a...
Reviews for Politics
No reviews posted or approved, yet...