Embedded Files
Intro to Aristotle's Beliefs
Intro to Aristotle's Beliefs
First off, Aristotle states that city-states are formed to support life but evolve into supporting the good life, an important distinction that determines the end goal of the time period it is facing. One example of the “good life” is the phrase “the american dream” the important difference between these is that the american dream is a real tangible end we could reach but we are holding ourselves back from due to lack of education and a surplus of direct incompetence, while the “good life” is a hypothetical theory constituted by Aristotle himself alluding to a country or city state in perfect unity. Aristotle states that there are certain ways to acheive this but how may you? One example may be Aristotle's statement that Friendship and justice are equally important to the survivability of a city-state and determine the longevity of a community due to the relations between the enforcement and the civilians. Aristotle believes a community of any sort can only thrive with a central figure due to the lack of communication between weaker figures. This central figure assumed to have good and virtuous intentions with the land and people he or she governs. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
Stance on community and the law
Stance on community and the law
Aristotle states that community is key to life and whichever man that lies outside is either a beast or a god. He makes the case that households need government and state to survive and have a steady supply of food, water, and housing. Natural finance should be possessed by every man. This means they should perfectly understand the land they live on whether that be the government they belong to or the crops he may reap on his lot. Aristotle is alluding to the education that should be possessed by all regarding their state and the land it is laid. Aristotle also had very divided opinions on the law as well one being that law isn’t just to keep people in line but also help them improve. The intelligent man will follow law and order because he understands the benefits of them while the less intelligent will be forced to learn why they are put in. (Internet encyclopedia of philosophy)
Why is Aristotle still important today?
Why is Aristotle still important today?
Aristotle was studied by many founding fathers and founders of other governments besides the united states. Our congress was created based off of his principles and the democracy of ancient Rome. He also influenced medieval leaders in the middle-east and influenced later Jewish philosophers. These people went on to found and create many governing documents some of which we still have today. Even after these people the ideologies of Aristotle are used as the foundation of many modern day governments. (Wikipedia) (Internet encyclopedia of philosophy)
How is the good life achieved?
How is the good life achieved?
The good life is achieved by following the course of arete (excellence or virtue). Aristotle teaches this due to the reservation of good acts from human kind, for example, if you buy a homeless man lunch he may take it back to his tent or where he stays and share it with another homeless man due to the good act he witnessed. Aristotle teaches the human spirit responds to a virtuous act with yet another virtuous act. On top of this, compassion and understanding between citizens and law is important instead of a harsh and unmalleable government that doesn’t hear people out on their word. This is crucial so the citizens don’t grow bitter and resent the central government. This may cause people to rebel and revolt. (Aristotle’s politics)
Outdated Ideologies
Outdated Ideologies
It is important to understand some of Aristotle's beliefs are not upholding today’s governments such as his approval and encouragement of slavery and inferiority of women. While these are heavy blunders there are also many teachings which still hold up. Other outdated beliefs also include his support of torture methods and other activities that are considered serious crimes in today's age. If you want to read up on Aristotle make sure to let your moral compass guide you through his literature. (Wikipedia)
Teachings passed on by Plato to Aristotle that he retains in his beliefs
Teachings passed on by Plato to Aristotle that he retains in his beliefs
The state is the very highest form of community and focuses on the highest good attainable reaching for peace and prosperity to be a moving factor in every life that belongs to the state. This refers to the earlier mentioned good life but specifying that no matter situation all citizens should live in the “good life”
Everybody should have a right to private property and just privacy in general. Without privacy there is a lack of safety, and safety is a core element to a thriving state. WIthout safety there is no happiness and joy, only worry, despair, and paranoia.
Due to being Plato’s disciple Aristotle had many criticisms of Democracy and believed in more of a mixed-state of such. What he alludes to by this is a mixture of political archetypes in the government structure. A couple examples could be a mix of autocracy and monarchy where there is a king-like figure and many different sections of government below him belonging to workers' forces. (Aristotle’s politics) (Internet encyclopedia of philosophy)
Learn More:
Learn More:
WORKS CITED
WORKS CITED
Miller, F. (2022b, July 1). Aristotle’s political theory. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-politics/
Internet encyclopedia of philosophy. (n.d.). https://iep.utm.edu/aristotle/
Wikimedia Foundation. (2025, June 26). Aristotle. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle#Politics
Internet encyclopedia of philosophy. (n.d.-a). https://iep.utm.edu/aristotle-politics/
Bard University. (n.d.). Aristotle’s politics. Aristotle’s Politics. https://www.bard.edu/library/arendt/pdfs/Aristotle-Politics.pdf
On Aristotle’s ethics. On Aristotle’s Ethics | Saint Mary’s College. (n.d.). https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/events/aristotles-ethics
Kennedy, M. (2024, July 29). Take a romp through ancient Rome’s great buildings with this handy (almost) pocket-sized book. undefined. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/07/05/paul-roberts-ancient-rome-fifty-monuments
Aristotle’s hierarchies of governance depict forms of government... | download scientific diagram. (n.d.). https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Aristotles-hierarchies-of-Governance-depict-forms-of-government-relative-to-wealth_fig1_362308717
Salamone, M. A. (2021, November 27). Aristotle’s political justice and the golden ratio between the three opposing criteria for the distribution of public goods among citizens: Freedom, wealth and virtue. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/6/4/96
Home. Famous Scientists. (n.d.). https://www.famousscientists.org/aristotle/
428-348 BC Greek Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, & 428-348 BC Greek. (2022, September 15). Plato. Wordsworth Editions. https://wordsworth-editions.com/book-author/plato/
Maden, J. (2025, June 26). Plato reading list – the best 6 books to read: Philosophy break. Plato Reading List – The Best 6 Books to Read | Philosophy Break. https://philosophybreak.com/reading-lists/plato/
Roman slaves carrying an amphora. FOBO. (n.d.). https://www.fromoldbooks.org/Casabo-LaCivilizacion-2/pages/440-water-carrier-slaves/
The most beautiful village of ny. Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie. (2023, May 10). https://beauxvillages.be/en/villages/ny/
Muldoon, J. (n.d.). Aristotle - Politics. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQnGmGJgy98
Page updated
Report abuse