ARISTOTLE

Question 1

Life

Answer 1

• Aristotle was born in 384 BC in Stagira, a Greek city, and later tutored Alexander the Great from 343 to 335 BC. His influence on Alexander can be seen in the linguistic unity and tolerance within the vast empire Alexander created.

Question 2

Unifying Vision: Teleology

Answer 2

• Aristotle’s teleological vision is central to his philosophy. He believed that everything in nature has a purpose or ultimate goal (telos). This concept applies to various fields:
• Science: Aristotle’s aim was to understand how elements in the universe reach their potential and fulfill their natural purpose. He made detailed observations about the development of various organisms.
• Ethics: In ethics, teleology guides human beings toward their ultimate goal, which he termed “eudaimonia,” often translated as “the good life” or “happiness.” It emphasizes living a fulfilling life rather than merely pursuing pleasure.
• Political Science: Aristotle’s political science seeks to improve the polis by determining the best form of government. It aims to clarify what exists in politics and suggests ways to enhance it.

Question 3

Human Nature

Answer 3

• Aristotle coined the phrase “man is a political animal,” which means humans are naturally inclined to live in organized communities, with the Greek polis serving as an example. Unlike other animals that form societies to satisfy basic needs, humans have the unique ability to speak and reason (logos). This ability is what drives humans to engage in politics, which involves debating and discussing the best ways to live together.

Question 4

Political Equality (polity)

Answer 4

• Aristotle’s idea of “polity” represents a constitutional democracy that blends elements from both oligarchy and democracy. In an oligarchy, rulers are chosen through elections, while in a democracy, they are selected by lot. The “polity” combines these approaches, advocating for elections but with modest property requirements. This mixture promotes the middle class’s role in the best regime.
• Aristotle emphasizes that when it comes to debating political priorities and searching for truth in various domains, no one can claim to possess absolute truth. This notion promotes the idea of political equality, where the multitude should have the supreme say over the few.

Question 5

The Golden Middle

Answer 5

• Aristotle’s philosophy often returns to the idea of the “golden mean.” This concept encourages avoiding extremes in moral and political life. He argues that “you can have too much of a good thing,” implying that moderation is usually advisable.
• In politics, this idea is reflected in the notion that a moderate regime that balances wealth, virtues, and citizen engagement works best for the common good. It seeks to avoid both excessive poverty and wealth.

Question 6

Best Regime

Answer 6

• Aristotle’s vision of the best regime is known as the “polity,” which is similar to a constitutional democracy. He does not provide a specific organizational structure for this regime, but he advocates for a mix of oligarchic and democratic elements.
• The “polity” encourages citizenship through education, which involves teaching young people about becoming virtuous citizens. It also promotes wealth redistribution to ensure no one is too poor or too wealthy.
• Active citizens should hold rulers accountable by demanding an account of their actions. Aristotle leans toward election-based systems as opposed to drawing lots, as elections tend to favor people who are exceptional in some way.

Question 7

Evaluation (Positive)

Answer 7

• Some of the most convincing aspects of Aristotle’s thought include his contributions to the concept of natural law and human rights. His teleological vision laid the foundation for understanding that some things are just by nature, leading to the modern notion of human rights.
• Aristotle’s pragmatism and realism make his philosophy suitable for the practical world. He emphasizes the pursuit of truth in politics without demanding perfection, promoting the idea of seeking truth through debates and discussions.
• Aristotle’s acknowledgment of the importance of constitutional rules and the nobility of political engagement is seen as a positive aspect of his philosophy.

Question 8

Evaluation (Negative)

Answer 8

• Critics argue that Aristotle’s hierarchical vision, despite its nuances and qualifications, still promotes the ranking of people based on their capacity to reason and deliberate. Some see this as a rigid aspect of his philosophy.
• Some find Aristotle’s moderation too conservative, especially his suggestion that only property-owners should be citizens. This has been criticized for excluding those who do not meet property requirements.
• Aristotle’s exalted view of politics as the primary means for leading fulfilling lives and contributing to the common good is considered impractical in modern times, where individuals can contribute to society through various means, including economics and the arts.