Study Questions for Aristotle’s Politics 1. Was Aristotle writing ✓ Solved

1. Was Aristotle writing before or after Plato?

2. How does Aristotle define the nature of a thing/person? What is the role of developmental biology in Aristotle’s work? Does he still think teleologically and hierarchically?

3. For Aristotle, what is the relationship between excellence and human nature? What makes one a human?

4. According to Aristotle, what makes man a political animal?

5. What distinguishes the household from the polis? How does Aristotle distinguish between a political and political forms of life? OR How does Aristotle define politics?

6. Why is slavery not political for Aristotle?

7. What is the telos of the polis for Aristotle?

8. What is the ideal political regime for Aristotle? What is the best possible regime?

9. According to Aristotle, should the “masses” be given an opportunity to participate in politics? Why or why not?

10. What does it mean to be a citizen, on Aristotle’s view? Who would be considered an ideal/excellent citizen for Aristotle?

11. Why is leisure important for Aristotle?

12. What does it mean to say that Aristotle is a contextual thinker?

13. Why are “vulgar people” unable to participate in politics, according to Aristotle?

14. Which of these regimes are political and which are not for Aristotle? Why? Which of them are just, and which are unjust? -Monarchy -Tyranny -Aristocracy -Oligarchy -Polity -Democracy

15. What Platonic themes does Aristotle continue to develop, and what new notions does Aristotle introduce in his philosophy? In other words, what are the similarities and differences between Plato and Aristotle?

Paper For Above Instructions

Aristotle is often considered one of the greatest philosophers in Western history, whose works continue to influence numerous fields, including political science, ethics, and natural sciences. Among his many contributions, “Politics” stands out as a foundational text in political philosophy. In “Politics,” Aristotle examines various political systems, the nature of human beings, and the relationship between individuals and the state. This paper will discuss the highlighted study questions, providing a deeper understanding of Aristotle’s thoughts and their relevance today.

1. Aristotle was writing after Plato. Although Aristotle was a student of Plato, he developed distinct philosophical views that diverged significantly from his teacher's ideals. This chronological fact is essential for understanding the evolution of their thoughts.

2. Aristotle defines the nature of a thing or person based on its purpose or telos, meaning the end or goal that gives it significance. He believes that developmental biology is vital in his work, as it emphasizes the importance of natural growth and change in understanding both humans and animals. Aristotle does maintain a teleological and hierarchical perspective, viewing the world as a great chain of being where all entities have inherent purposes.

3. Excellence, or virtue, for Aristotle is intricately linked to human nature; he believes that being human inherently involves striving for excellence. According to him, a person is one who has the capacity for reason and can engage in rational deliberation, leading to the cultivation of virtues.

4. Aristotle famously describes man as a political animal (zoon politikon), indicating that humans are naturally inclined to live in a community. This notion is essential for Aristotle's belief that engaging in politics is a fundamental aspect of human existence.

5. The distinction between the household (oikos) and the polis (city-state) lies in their purposes: while the former pertains to private life and personal relations, the latter represents the realm of public life and governance. Aristotle identifies politics as not just the organization of city-states but as the art of achieving the good life through collective decision-making.

6. For Aristotle, slavery is not political because it involves individuals who do not have the capacity for rational participation in governance. Slaves, he argues, cannot contribute to the political community, thus making their role distinct from that of citizens.

7. The telos of the polis is to enable its citizens to achieve the good life. According to Aristotle, the ultimate goal of political organization is not merely to survive but to flourish as rational beings.

8. Aristotle posits that the best possible regime is one that balances elements of democracy and oligarchy, termed polity. He believes that the ideal political regime promotes the common good rather than the interests of a single group.

9. Aristotle acknowledges the importance of the masses in political life but advocates for a system where their participation is conditioned by their understanding and virtue. He expresses skepticism about the masses’ ability to make sound political decisions, arguing that only those with education and virtue should have opportunities for active participation.

10. Citizenship, on Aristotle’s view, implies active participation in political life. An ideal citizen possesses a combination of virtue, knowledge, and the ability to contribute positively to the polis.

11. Leisure is crucial for Aristotle as it facilitates the cultivation of virtue and intellectual pursuits. He contends that a quality civic life requires individuals to have the time and space to engage in higher pursuits beyond basic survival.

12. Describing Aristotle as a contextual thinker suggests that he emphasizes the importance of individual circumstances and historical settings in shaping human behavior and political entities.

13. Aristotle dismisses “vulgar people” from political participation due to their perceived lack of rationality and virtue, thus raising questions about social class and its role in governance.

14. Aristotle categorizes regimes into political and non-political forms based on their disposition toward the common good. Political regimes include monarchy, aristocracy, and polity, while tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy (as corrupted) do not serve the common interest.

15. Aristotle carries forward several Platonic themes, such as the quest for a just society, yet he introduces new concepts, such as the empirical approach to ethics and practical politics, diverging from Plato's more ethnocentric views.

References

• Aristotle. (350 B.C.E.). Politics. Translated by Benjamin Jowett.
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