Single Idea 2818

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 4. Citizenship]

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.

Gist of Idea

The virtues of a good citizen are relative to a particular constitution

Source

Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1276b28)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Politics', ed/tr. Sinclair,T.A. /Saunders,T. [Penguin 1992], p.179


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.

Related Idea

Idea 5246 Natural justice is the same everywhere, and does not (unlike legal justice) depend on acceptance [Aristotle]