Single Idea 5140

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State]

Full Idea

The end of political science is the highest good, and the chief concern of this science is to endue the citizens with certain qualities, namely virtue and readiness to do fine deeds.

Gist of Idea

Political science aims at the highest good, which involves creating virtue in citizens

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1099b29)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.81


A Reaction

This seems to be the core of modern communitarianism, which is much more paternalistic than is normally acceptable in a liberal democracy. Freedom is downgraded, and there is an assumption that legislators are generally wiser than citizens.

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