Single Idea 5241

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / b. Legislature]

Full Idea

What is prescribed by legislation is lawful, and we hold that every such ordinance is just.

Gist of Idea

We hold that every piece of legislation is just

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1129b12)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.173


A Reaction

This sounds astonishingly conservative, and doesn't seem to allow for the possibility of bad laws (even those made by tyrants, let alone those made by a misguided democracy). The basis is, presumably, society as a 'natural' institution.