display all the ideas for this combination of texts
18 ideas
2431 | Every state is an association formed for some good purpose [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: Observation tells us that every state is an association; and that every state is formed with a view to some good purpose. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1252a01) | |
A reaction: Not so much a historical speculation, I think, as an assertion that it should be obvious what binds a state together, and hence has allowed it to endure. |
22578 | The happiest city is the one that acts most nobly [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: The happy city is the one that is best and acts nobly. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1323b29) | |
A reaction: He applies almost identical criteria to the eudaimon individual and the eudaimon city. It is not the possession of virtuous qualities but the performing of fine deeds which matters. I want to be proud of what my country does. |
22548 | A city aims at living well [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: The end of the city is living well. …It is for the sake of noble actions, not for the sake of living together. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1280b38) | |
A reaction: So the aim is not glory, conquest, colonisation, great buildings or other works. It is all of the citizens living well in their own way. This is the liberal ideal, from a long time ago. Spinoza is in tune with this. Fulfilling capabilities? |
22577 | What is the best life for everyone, and is that a communal or an individual problem? [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: There should first be agreement about what the most choiceworthy life is for (one might almost say) everyone, and then determine whether it is the same or distinct for all communally as for each separately. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1323a19) | |
A reaction: Presumably 'almost' because slaves don't make the cut. But the inclusiveness is hugely important, and I take his second question to be the debate between communitarians and liberals. Communists and libertarians might get a look in. |
22579 | The same four cardinal virtues which apply to individuals also apply to a city [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: The courage, justice, practical wisdom, and temperance of a city have the same capacity and form [morphé] as those in which each human being who is said to be courageous, just, practically-wise, and temperate would share. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1323b33) | |
A reaction: These are the four traditional Cardinal Virtues of ancient Greek culture. Aristotle defers to them, even though his account of the virtues is much broader. |
2832 | The state aims to consist as far as possible of those who are like and equal [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: The state aims to consist as far as possible of those who are like and equal. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1295b25) | |
A reaction: He knows that this cannot be fully achieved. It gets worrying when misfits are pressured into conformity. This sounds like Aristotle's less liberal side - though he accepts diversity. |
2821 | The six constitutions are monarchy/tyranny, aristocracy/oligarchy, and polity/democracy [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: The names for right constitutions (with their deviations) are monarchy (tyranny), aristocracy (oligarchy), and polity (democracy). | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1279b04) | |
A reaction: I found it hard to pin down the meaning of 'polity', even though he makes it sound like the best constitution. Something like 'teamwork'. |
22546 | A city is a community of free people, and the constitution should aim at the common advantage [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: Those constitutions that aim at the common advantage are correct, whereas those that aim only at the advantage of the rulers are erroneous ones. For they are like the rule of a master, whereas a city is a community of free people. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1279a17) | |
A reaction: He is very keen on the full equality of all citizens (even if his concept of a citizen is narrow). This must be connected to his eudaimonist account of ethics. Everyone must flourish. I'm struck by his liberal values. |
22558 | Constitutions specify distribution of offices, the authorities, and the community's aim [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: A constitution is the way that cities order their offices, how they are distributed, what element is in control in the constitution, and what the end of each community is. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1289a15) | |
A reaction: Liberal constitutions tend to avoid stating what the end of the city is, because that is for the free citizens to decide. Nothing is said, it seems, about the territory or the population. |
22566 | The greed of the rich is more destructive than the greed of the people [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: What the rich do to get more does more to destroy the constitution than what the people do. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1297a10) | |
A reaction: Presumably this is because the wealthy have more power. In our society they have more control over the media and public opinions. The law should maintain the constitution, and the poor have no influence on the law. |
2973 | We must decide the most desirable human life before designing a constitution [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: If we wish to investigate the best constitution appropriately, we must first decide what is the most desirable life. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1323a14) | |
A reaction: He takes this for granted, and it sounds right, but it is firmly contradicted by modern liberals (e.g. Rawls), who say the good life is for individuals to decide. |
2835 | Any constitution can be made to last for a day or two [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: Any constitution can be made to last for a day or two. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1319b35) | |
A reaction: An important issue for Aristotle, which we no longer seem to worry about. A constitution should aim, when it is created, to be acceptable enough to be durable. |
22580 | The best constitution enables everyone to live the best life [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: It is evident that the best constitution is necessarily that order in accord with which anyone might be able to do best and live blessedly. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1324a23) | |
A reaction: So what would Aristotle make of the modern welfare state, or the idea of a safety net for those who struggle? Should the state help the best life, and not just facilitate it? Education, infrastructure, health, communal activity…. |
6309 | The principle foundations of all states are good laws and good armies [Machiavelli] |
Full Idea: The principle foundations of all states are good laws and good armies. | |
From: Niccolo Machiavelli (The Prince [1513], Ch.11) | |
A reaction: We may be wondering, since 1945, whether a good army is any longer essential, but it would be a foolish modern state which didn't at least form a strong alliance with a state which had a strong army. Fertile land is a huge benefit to a state. |
2818 | The virtues of a good citizen are relative to a particular constitution [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: The virtue of the citizen must be in relation to the constitution; and as there are many constitutions, there cannot be just one single and perfect virtue of the sound citizen. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1276b28) | |
A reaction: This is very striking support for the view that Aristotle's account of the virtues in 'Ethics' is merely a description of conventions (Athenian, presumably), rather than an appeal to nature. However, see his account of the soul, and human function. |
22545 | A person can be an excellent citizen without being an excellent man [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: It is possible for someone to be an excellent citizen without having acquired the virtue in accord with which someone is an excellent man. …[1278b02] In one sort of city the good man and the excellent citizen are the same. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1276b33) | |
A reaction: Thus confutes my simple summary of Aristotelian ethics as 'be a good citizen!'. He thinks leaders of communities must be excellent men. You can fulfil a role in the city (soldier, doctor, cleaner) without all-round excellence (see 1276b39). |
22563 | The middle classes are neither ambitious nor anarchic, which is good [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: Those in the middle [in wealth] are least inclined either to avoid rule or to be eager to rule, both of which things are harmful to cities. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1295b12) | |
A reaction: How nice to hear something good about the poor old middle classes - the hated bourgeoisie of the marxists, looked down on by the snobbish elite. They avoid the black market, and bribery for offices. |
22544 | A citizen is someone who is allowed to hold official posts in a city [Aristotle] |
Full Idea: Whoever is authorised to share in deliberative or judicial office …is a citizen of the relevant city. | |
From: Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1275b18) | |
A reaction: Interesting, and perhaps a bit surprising for us. We tend to assume that in a democracy the citizens are those allowed to vote, but he says what matters is being allowed to hold an office. Log cabin to White House. He's right. |