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Single Idea 5852
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 3. Constitutions
]
Full Idea
There are four types of constitution: democracy (whose purpose is freedom), oligarchy (for wealth), aristocracy (for education and customs), and monarch or tyranny (for security).
Gist of Idea
The four constitutions are democracy (freedom), oligarchy (wealth), aristocracy (custom), tyranny (security)
Source
Aristotle (The Art of Rhetoric [c.350 BCE], 1365b28-37)
Book Ref
Aristotle: 'The Art of Rhetoric', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,H.C. [Penguin 1991], p.102
A Reaction
An aristocracy seems to be the guardians of tradition and culture (as in an English public school education). The tyranny of Hitler and Stalin did not exactly lead to security. Democracy and aristocracy are the front-runners. Compare Idea 2821.
Related Idea
Idea 2821
The six constitutions are monarchy/tyranny, aristocracy/oligarchy, and polity/democracy [Aristotle]
The
17 ideas
from 'The Art of Rhetoric'
5847
|
It is the role of dialectic to survey syllogisms
[Aristotle]
|
5848
|
All good things can be misused, except virtue
[Aristotle]
|
5849
|
Rhetoric is a political offshoot of dialectic and ethics
[Aristotle]
|
5850
|
Happiness is composed of a catalogue of internal and external benefits
[Aristotle]
|
5851
|
Pentathletes look the most beautiful, because they combine speed and strength
[Aristotle]
|
5852
|
The four constitutions are democracy (freedom), oligarchy (wealth), aristocracy (custom), tyranny (security)
[Aristotle]
|
5853
|
The best virtues are the most useful to others
[Aristotle]
|
1660
|
It is noble to avenge oneself on one's enemies, and not come to terms with them
[Aristotle]
|
23250
|
Desired responsible actions result either from rational or from irrational desire
[Aristotle]
|
5854
|
Nobody fears a disease which nobody has yet caught
[Aristotle]
|
5855
|
We all feel universal right and wrong, independent of any community or contracts
[Aristotle]
|
5856
|
Self-interest is a relative good, but nobility an absolute good
[Aristotle]
|
5857
|
The young feel pity from philanthropy, but the old from self-concern
[Aristotle]
|
5858
|
Men are physically prime at thirty-five, and mentally prime at forty-nine
[Aristotle]
|
5859
|
Rich people are mindlessly happy
[Aristotle]
|
5861
|
People assume events cause what follows them
[Aristotle]
|
5862
|
A single counterexample is enough to prove that a truth is not necessary
[Aristotle]
|