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Single Idea 2801

[from 'Politics' by Aristotle, in 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 7. Status of Reason ]

Full Idea

The element that can use its intelligence to look ahead is by nature ruler and master, while that which has the bodily strength to do the actual work is by nature a slave.

Gist of Idea

Intelligence which looks ahead is a natural master, while bodily strength is a natural slave

Source

Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1252a30)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Politics', ed/tr. Sinclair,T.A. /Saunders,T. [Penguin 1992], p.57


A Reaction

I claim that the two distinguishing features of humanity are prescience and meta-thought, so I can't really disagree with this.