Aristotle 3

Greek PhilosopherGreek Philosopher
Aristotle byAristotle by
Sana AslamSana Aslam
International Islamic universityInternational Islamic university
IslamabadIslamabad

The BeginningsThe Beginnings
 Aristotle was born in 384 BCAristotle was born in 384 BC
 His father was physician to the king ofHis father was physician to the king of
Macedonia.Macedonia.
 When he was 7, he went to study at Plato’sWhen he was 7, he went to study at Plato’s
Academy.Academy.
 Began as a student, became a researcher & finallyBegan as a student, became a researcher & finally
a teacher.a teacher.
 Was considered one of Plato’s best students.Was considered one of Plato’s best students.
 Plato died and willed and Academy to his nephew.Plato died and willed and Academy to his nephew.
 Aristotle left & founded the Lyceum.Aristotle left & founded the Lyceum.

Aristotle’s writingsAristotle’s writings
 It is reported that Aristotle’s writings wereIt is reported that Aristotle’s writings were
held by his studentheld by his student TheophrastusTheophrastus, who had, who had
succeeded Aristotle in leadership of thesucceeded Aristotle in leadership of the
Peripatetic SchoolPeripatetic School..
Dialogues &
other works of a
popular character
Systematic works
Collection of
facts & material
from scientific
treatment

Aristotle is a towering figure in ancient GreekAristotle is a towering figure in ancient Greek
philosopher, making contribution to logic, meta-philosopher, making contribution to logic, meta-
physics, mathematics, biology, botany, ethics,physics, mathematics, biology, botany, ethics,
politics, agriculture, medicine, dance & theatre.politics, agriculture, medicine, dance & theatre.

Aristotle & RealismAristotle & Realism
 Aristotle was a realist. Plato was an idealist.Aristotle was a realist. Plato was an idealist.
 Central thread of idealism is the principle or thesisCentral thread of idealism is the principle or thesis
of independence.of independence.
Reality, knowledge and value existReality, knowledge and value exist
independently of the mind. Realism rejectsindependently of the mind. Realism rejects
the idealists notion that only ideas are real.the idealists notion that only ideas are real.
 Believed form is within matter & change takesBelieved form is within matter & change takes
place in matter.place in matter.
 Believed a relationship between science &Believed a relationship between science &
philosophy, and that the study of one leads to thephilosophy, and that the study of one leads to the
study of the other.study of the other.

Science & PhilosophyScience & Philosophy
 For instance, studying the material aspects ofFor instance, studying the material aspects of
an acorn should lead to a deeper, morean acorn should lead to a deeper, more
complex reflective thought of what an acorncomplex reflective thought of what an acorn
is- of what it is in essence or form.is- of what it is in essence or form.
(Ozmon and Craver, 2008)(Ozmon and Craver, 2008)

Aristotle’s PoliticsAristotle’s Politics
 Aristotle does not regard politics as a separateAristotle does not regard politics as a separate
science from ethics, but as the completion, andscience from ethics, but as the completion, and
almost a verification of it. The moral ideal inalmost a verification of it. The moral ideal in
political administration is only a differentpolitical administration is only a different
aspect of what which also applis to individualaspect of what which also applis to individual
happiness.happiness.
Humans are by nature social being, & the possession of rational speech (logos) inHumans are by nature social being, & the possession of rational speech (logos) in
itself leads us to social union.itself leads us to social union.

Aristotle’s PoliticsAristotle’s Politics
 Aristotle’s does not regard politics as aAristotle’s does not regard politics as a
separate science from ethics from ethics, but asseparate science from ethics from ethics, but as
the completion, and almost a verification of it.the completion, and almost a verification of it.
 The moral ideal in political administration isThe moral ideal in political administration is
only a different aspect of that which alsoonly a different aspect of that which also
applies to individual happiness.applies to individual happiness.
 Humans by nature social being, and theHumans by nature social being, and the
possession of rational speech (logos) in itselfpossession of rational speech (logos) in itself
leads us to social union.leads us to social union.

PoliticsPolitics
 ““It grows for the sake of mere life, and it existsIt grows for the sake of mere life, and it exists
for the sake of the good life.”for the sake of the good life.” (Curtis, p 65)(Curtis, p 65)
 Man is a political animal.Man is a political animal.
 Man engages in politics to achieve theMan engages in politics to achieve the
common goodcommon good
 Various kinds of rules are natural to manVarious kinds of rules are natural to man
FamilyFamily
SlaverySlavery
Political rulePolitical rule

Characteristics of Political RuleCharacteristics of Political Rule
 CitizenshipCitizenship
 ConstitutionConstitution
 SovereigntySovereignty
 JusticeJustice
 LawLaw
By way of contrast, citizenship, constitution,By way of contrast, citizenship, constitution,
law, etc are integral parts of the state.law, etc are integral parts of the state.

Philosophy of NaturePhilosophy of Nature
 Aristotle sees the universe as a scale lying betweenAristotle sees the universe as a scale lying between
the two extremes: form without matters is on onethe two extremes: form without matters is on one
end, and matters without form is on the other end.end, and matters without form is on the other end.
The passage of matter into form must be shown inThe passage of matter into form must be shown in
its various stages in the world of nature. To do thisits various stages in the world of nature. To do this
is the object of Aristotle’s physics, or philosophy ofis the object of Aristotle’s physics, or philosophy of
nature. It is important to keep in mind that thenature. It is important to keep in mind that the
passage from form to matter within is a movementpassage from form to matter within is a movement
towards ends or purposes.towards ends or purposes.
Everything in nature has its end and function, & nothing is without its purpose.Everything in nature has its end and function, & nothing is without its purpose.
Everywhere we find evidences of design and rational plan.Everywhere we find evidences of design and rational plan.

Aristotle ViewsAristotle Views
 Balance is the central concept to Aristotle’sBalance is the central concept to Aristotle’s
views.views.
 Saw universe as being in a balanced andSaw universe as being in a balanced and
orderly fashion.orderly fashion.
 Education was the means used to create a stateEducation was the means used to create a state
of good citizens.of good citizens.

Man is a Rational AnimalMan is a Rational Animal
 Aristotle believed “man is a rational animal.”Aristotle believed “man is a rational animal.”
 While animals express pleasure or pain with theirWhile animals express pleasure or pain with their
cries, man & only man is able to speak.cries, man & only man is able to speak.
 Ability to speak allows man to be able toAbility to speak allows man to be able to
determine the difference between what is right &determine the difference between what is right &
what is wrong, what is beneficial & what iswhat is wrong, what is beneficial & what is
harmful.harmful.
 So, how are these skills and knowledge acquired?So, how are these skills and knowledge acquired?
 Through education.Through education.

Education is centralEducation is central
 A fulfilled person was an educated person.A fulfilled person was an educated person.
 Education was essential for the self-realizationEducation was essential for the self-realization
of man.of man.
 The supreme good to which all men aspire isThe supreme good to which all men aspire is
happiness.happiness.

Who was to be educated?Who was to be educated?
 Men of noble nature.Men of noble nature.
 Only citizens of the state were to be educated.Only citizens of the state were to be educated.
 The role of women was to keep house and haveThe role of women was to keep house and have
children. Believed women were “intellectuallychildren. Believed women were “intellectually
inferior” to men.inferior” to men.
 Marriages was simple an arrangement to procreateMarriages was simple an arrangement to procreate
and rear offspring.and rear offspring.
 Women were regarded as a means and not as anWomen were regarded as a means and not as an
end.end.


Men were divided into twoMen were divided into two
ClassesClasses
 A governing classA governing class &&
 A governed classA governed class
 Governing class required education so that itGoverning class required education so that it
could govern the Governed Class.could govern the Governed Class.
 Governed class required just enoughGoverned class required just enough
education as would enable it to obey.education as would enable it to obey.
 Only by completing these duties would eachOnly by completing these duties would each
class find its usefulness and satisfaction, orclass find its usefulness and satisfaction, or
balance.balance.

Governed Class/SlaveryGoverned Class/Slavery
 Slavery-Is it also Natural?Slavery-Is it also Natural?
For that some should rule & others be ruled is a thing,For that some should rule & others be ruled is a thing,
not only necessary but expedient; from the hour ofnot only necessary but expedient; from the hour of
their birth, some are marked out for subjection,their birth, some are marked out for subjection,
others for ruleothers for rule (p 32)(p 32)
 Slavery-Necessary and JustifiedSlavery-Necessary and Justified
The work is better which is executed by betterThe work is better which is executed by better
workmen;workmen; (p32-33)(p32-33)
…………the male is by nature superior, and the femalethe male is by nature superior, and the female
inferior; and the one rules, and the other is ruled;inferior; and the one rules, and the other is ruled;
this principle, of necessity, extends to all mankindthis principle, of necessity, extends to all mankind..
(p 34)(p 34)

The order of ThingsThe order of Things
ManMan
WifeWife
ChildrenChildren
SlavesSlaves

Knowledge & BelieveKnowledge & Believe
 Knowledge is different from believe in thatKnowledge is different from believe in that
knowledge is the beginning of dialectic reasoning.knowledge is the beginning of dialectic reasoning.
 Aristotle believed people make mistakes when theirAristotle believed people make mistakes when their
judgment is not found on reason.judgment is not found on reason.
 A person can’t make a mistake if they haveA person can’t make a mistake if they have
knowledge of something.knowledge of something.
 Aristotle argued that man should know his ownAristotle argued that man should know his own
weaknesses so that he would be more cognizant ofweaknesses so that he would be more cognizant of
what he does to make mistakes. If he knows how hewhat he does to make mistakes. If he knows how he
creates mistakes, he can take steps to make sure hecreates mistakes, he can take steps to make sure he
does what it takes to prevent mistakes fromdoes what it takes to prevent mistakes from

LearningLearning
 Students learned about something by practicingStudents learned about something by practicing
it over & over again until they learned it.it over & over again until they learned it.
 This was done through the practice ofThis was done through the practice of
habituation.habituation.
 Idea of learning was “Practice first, theoryIdea of learning was “Practice first, theory
afterwards,” or “Do the deeds and ye shall knowafterwards,” or “Do the deeds and ye shall know
the doctrine.”the doctrine.”

LearningLearning
 Work begun by nature & continued by habit orWork begun by nature & continued by habit or
exercise was completed and crowned by instruction.exercise was completed and crowned by instruction.
 This had two functions:This had two functions:
To make action free by making it rational &To make action free by making it rational &
To make possible an advance to original actionTo make possible an advance to original action
 Nature & habit make men slaves, gov’d by instinctsNature & habit make men slaves, gov’d by instincts
and prescriptions.and prescriptions.
 Instruction or revelation of the grounds of action,Instruction or revelation of the grounds of action,
set men free.set men free.
 Greek thought of this as the realization of manhood-Greek thought of this as the realization of manhood-
or the divine in man.or the divine in man.

How the city comes into being?How the city comes into being?
 llPARTNERSHIP
Village
House hold
/Families
City

The City-StateThe City-State
Society/State is
natural institution.
Society/State exists
for the sake of the
good life.
The aim of the good
Society is Justice.
The Stateman must
be a philosopher.

The RepublicThe Republic
The Republic concerns with the definition of justice, the order and the character
of the just City-State & the Just man.
Plato identifies the Political Justice as harmony in
structured political body. (Book ll, lll, lV)
AUXILIARIES
(warriors)
PRODUCERS
(craft-men, farmers,
artisans, etc)
GUARDUANS
(rulers)
Definition of
JUSTICE

Royalty, Aristocracy &Royalty, Aristocracy &
ConstitutionConstitution
Of the above-mentioned forms, the perversionsOf the above-mentioned forms, the perversions
are as follows:are as follows:
of royalty, tyranny;of royalty, tyranny;
of aristocracy, oligarchy;of aristocracy, oligarchy;
of constitutional government, democracyof constitutional government, democracy
(p 115)(p 115)

Comparison with PlatoComparison with Plato
 Plato’s philosophy leads, by natural steps, toPlato’s philosophy leads, by natural steps, to
an anti democratic & to Authoritarianan anti democratic & to Authoritarian
Philosophy.Philosophy.
 It is Govt. for the people but not by the people.It is Govt. for the people but not by the people.

ConstitutionConstitution
 Some say; te best constitution is a combinationSome say; te best constitution is a combination
of all existing forms, they praise theof all existing forms, they praise the
Lacedaemonian because it made up ofLacedaemonian because it made up of
Oligarchy, monarchy & democracy.Oligarchy, monarchy & democracy.
 ““the king forming the monarchy, and the council of elders the oligarchy, while thethe king forming the monarchy, and the council of elders the oligarchy, while the
democratic element is represented by the Ephors are selected from the people.democratic element is represented by the Ephors are selected from the people.
(p 70-71)(p 70-71)

Government, true & PervertedGovernment, true & Perverted
 For tyrannyFor tyranny is a kind of monarchy which hasis a kind of monarchy which has
in view the interest of the monarchy only;in view the interest of the monarchy only;
 OligarchyOligarchy has in view the interest of thehas in view the interest of the
wealthy;wealthy;
 DemocracyDemocracy, of the needy: none of them the, of the needy: none of them the
common good of allcommon good of all
(p 115)(p 115)

Structure of Govt.Structure of Govt.
Democracy OligarchyDemocracy Oligarchy
1 21 2
Constitutional Govt.Constitutional Govt.
1+2=31+2=3
AristocracyAristocracy
1+2+3=41+2+3=4

ComparisonComparison
 DEMOCRACYDEMOCRACY
11
The poor rulesThe poor rules
Majority & freedomMajority & freedom
Every where equalityEvery where equality
 OLIGARCHYOLIGARCHY
22
The rich rulesThe rich rules
Minority & wealthMinority & wealth
Every where inequalityEvery where inequality

SummarySummary
 Aristotle’s political thought is naturalistic &Aristotle’s political thought is naturalistic &
teleologicalteleological
 The polis is a natural social organization.The polis is a natural social organization.
 Man is by nature a political animal.Man is by nature a political animal.
 The objective of politics is to achieve the goodThe objective of politics is to achieve the good
lifelife
 Various kinds of rules are naturalVarious kinds of rules are natural
 Political rule is rule by equals over equalsPolitical rule is rule by equals over equals

SummaySummay
Aristotle distinguishes between the “parts” of theAristotle distinguishes between the “parts” of the
state & its necessary conditionsstate & its necessary conditions

Aristotle 3

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