UNIT

ARISTQ)%LE
Structure 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Introducing Aristotle 3.2.1 The Man and His Times 3.2.2 His Works 3.2.3 His Methodology 3.3 Philosophical Foundations of Aristotle's Political Theory
3.3

.I Plato and Aristotle 3.3.2 Politics and Ethics 3.4 Political Ideas of Aristotle 3.4.1 Theory of Justice 3.4.2 Property, Family and Slavery 3.4.3 Theory of Revolution 3.4.4 Theory of State 3.5 Evaluation of Aristotle's Political Theory 3.5.1 Influence 3,6 Summary 3.7 Exercises

3.1 INTRODUCTION
Unlike Plato, Aristotle comes political realism. On this basis, it is easy to understand the comment by Coleridge, the poet, that everyone is born either a an Aristotelian. The difference between Plato and science. Plato was former is a philosopher, the latter is a scientist; 1461) says: him the title of 'The Master of Them That Know'. For about thousand years, according to Maxey: tiorn in Stagira, was a pupil of Plato and the Lyceum. Aristotle's relationship to Plato was

Bentham as both Aristotle and Mill repudiated major portions of the Western Political Theory, From Plato ihe latter, an inductive one. Plato portrays unrealisable utopia-the ideal state whereas Aristotle's concern was of Aristotle." Aristotle, like Plato, wrote voluminously. We 1x1s written on many subjects, His admirer claimed for "Aristotle.on logic, Aristotle on mechanics, Aristotle on physics, Aristotle on Bentham respectively. This 011 economics, and Aristotle on politics was Ihcm to initiate two great those who believe in old worlds made "All wlio believe in new worlds for old are Platoilist or the father of Political Philosophy; Aristotle, the father of Political Science; the

3
wit11 the best possible state. Professor Maxey almost the last word. plrysiology, Aristotle on astronomy, streams of thought which new by comes political idealism; and subseque~ltly taught Alexander and (384-322 the tedious and toilsome use of science are disciples

f~indamental difference between Plato and Aristotle led and Aristotle is the difference BC) was not an Athenian by birth, He was an 'The fol.mer follows l~l~itnpeachable authority collstitute what is known as similar know Aristotle the disciples of from Aristotle Arisjotle the teachings of their master-Plato and to the deductive methodology; J.S. Mill's relationship to then established riglltly (Political Philosophies, betweeti philosophy I3lato; all than which his own l-~allc was more scl~ool,

these the importance are found in his Politics. Hermias between 347-344 BC, with Alexander between 342 and 323 BC and with rulers Fro111 tinie, much before the with men of Herlnias got Aristotle close to tlie Macedonian King whose son, Alexander and and adopted daughter, fallier. Aristotle's relationship, Hermias, a tyrant, and an axe-slave Herpliyllis, a said. During his Lycezml, for about twelve years or so, between 335 and 323 BC. Me died a year later in Plialstis) while in exile, following fears of being executed by half of his life, first as a student at the Athenian to n~ust have read medicine, and Proxenus, whose son, Nicaner, Aristotle later adopted. Although not

llis own
!lie deatli of atid some basic concepts for economics, laws and education."

3.2.1
the Macedonian kingdom. His father,

descent doniina~lt modern proposals of a value-free social science and an autonomous ethics;

Tinles
Aristotle (384-322 BC) was born at Stagira, then a small Greek colony close to the borders of 11. A longer part of Science) says: "Aristotle's distinctive contributions to social science are: (a) a methoclology of inquiry tlie ethical and the social, as contrasted authentic." "I-lis information was so I~iternational Encyclopaedia of Social the continuity of conteriiporaries or any of find no fault" (Maxey). Whatever subject lie treated, lie treated it well; he made it a master piece. His legacy, like that of his teacher claim themselves as realists, scientists, pragmatists and utilitarian look to him as teacher, guide and philosopher. Referring Inore penetrating, Inaster in his parents, Aristotle's care fell upon a Inall and nature rather than a basic cleavage; (b) the integration of establisllnient of "jour~ieyman period." Between 347-344 BC he stayed at rnust Herniias, the intervening period of twelve years (34.7-335 BC), lie fiom a institiitio~~,

The Man
have developed his interest in physical sciences, particularly biology. Upon whom tlie his successors prior to tlie advent of modern science that to Aristotle's contribution to social science, Abraham Edel (Aristotle's Plato's helped conimit another sin (first being tlie ruling classes; Stagirite like Aristotle and From an Clialeis (the birth place of wit11 of he later Alexander tlie medical family, it can well be imagined that Aristotle Plato, was so but a friend of the Macedonian his boyhood was spent at Atlzenian, Aristotle lived in Athens for more than foreign canie to value tlie nature of one-man role, learn

Ac~~den~y for
Pythias, and on whose death, later he began a union, his deductions so A;-istotle's penetrating eyes to see the public whatever work lie wrote, the

Lyccu~n in 335 BC.

Alexandsr, Aristotle got all possible scliolastic mind could

a~id (c) a systematic foundation for morals, politics and social theory the with the Athenians for his pro-Macedonian sympathies: "I will not allow

and His
with relatiolls Anlipater after Alexander's rich nearly twenty years (367-347 BC), and later as the master with tliat focuses on and of foreign policy, that all those who Great was Aristotle's student for 111uch Nicolnachus was a physician at the court of 1nuc11 Like they liad a son relative, more plausible than true of any of his Pella, the execution of liis teacher vastel- and more exhaustive, liis insight so mother, Icing, Philip. He married the royal seat of Macedonia. Because of man's rationality yet stresses deatli in 323 BC. 131ato, Aristotle

nanied Nicomachus, after Aristotle's sotile help that could impress Socrates in 399 BC)", Assus with ~cference to affiirs relnailled away so~iictl~ing of lie became some governecl more closely. liad witliout one Such an association Hernias's niece kepl liis tlle all-knowing economics and ~narriage, lxis association kom Athens, lie had Amyntas irpon the mucli with his of

instead of complete, . polished treaties, and a few may Cons&i/tltion.s, the governtnei~t on the basis of Lycewn belong tlie rest of the works, tlie Poetics, and the Politics. Aristotle's political theory is Covlstifulion of Athens. Aristotle's Politics, like and 335 BC, belong Aristotle's the the Politics, although there are references of his political thought in the the Soul (also the Aristotlc's stay in the Academy. Dialogues like Alexander and On part Eudelnian Ethics of the Politics-all these are largely Platonic in character, but in for111 of lecture plaitlness of style. Until Jacger argues for an early, einpirically oriented. It is not certain as to when a particular (ilristotle, 1953) when Alexander

3.2.2 His Works

Aristotle is said to have written about 150 philosophical treaties. About the 30 that survive touch from scientific treatment; (3) systematic works.

the interesting tract On the n~iscellaneous subjects. Aristotle's works can be classified under three headings: (1) dialogues and other works of a assumed that Aristotle's writings from Plato's influence. family background of looking at everything scientifically, Plato's observatio~z of political events, his Lyceurv through lectures and morals to aesthetics to politics. Many, however, that Aristotle wrote six treaties on various phrases of logic, twenty-six on different subjects in and poetry, one each on metaphysics, economics, history and politics, and soul, ilot all that was Aristotle's. Aristotle, indeed, erlcyclopedic mind and prolific writer. the field of natural sciences, four on ethics ~opular character; (2) collections of facts and material the significance of
it7

report to Aristotle any matter of scientific interest). the Athenian collections (Alexander is said to Aristotle's service, calne Aristotle's advocacy of modern polity and of the propertied middle-class,
fragments.

Nicomachem Ethics after his son

Organon, the Werner tlle

011

the forms of presumes that Aristotle's writings appeared Among his writings of a popular nature, ~iotes (See Barker: The Political and inducted all hunters, fowlers and fishermen to Endentzrs), an middle rejects i~otably the enor~nous range of PoZity of the 111iddle Jaeger Statesinall (338-326 RC) Tlie systematic treatises of liis study of about 158 assunled power. To the period and a greater Pl?ysics, the refor~ns dialognes. To and late period where (Aristotle: tlie Fro111 Antipater Nicomachean Ethics. His Meteo~ological, the works study of 158 constitutions of his

Protreyticus The dialogues, especially something tliat Aristotle had advocated in Politics. From Lycurgus, Plato and the late period, Atheitians. The works on which he found mainly disci~ssions-all these Fuizdurnentals pliilosopliical De not be his but of members of have utilised prese~ited a the period of his any otlier work of inipact over a period of twenty years, his keen Daele, a part of (and not father), made a
(011

and a Platonist and co~istitutions. Notable among wok was written by Aristotle. W.D. are thought to be 'lecture notes' Thoright of the early period follows Philosopl~y) were the third group are had his own too: his in and morals, three on art

past of ofthe proble~ns systelnatic account of his views. tlie only one, Constitzltions analyses the services of about 800 talents Mo~zarchy were written during oil psychology and biology, betweell 347 foirr or in Rhetoric (also the in the order of Histovy Pluto headship of his best practicable state. But tlie second group include 200 titles, most iilcluding most of ~icomachus combined to llis, has De fro111 biology tirne, and his elaborate studies at Aristotfe's and Aninla more on ofHis wllich we possess is written during

coine Aristotle, 1948) and consists of marked by a the school. There is a record tlie Developments, 19 and the fmn~ Plato's theory of liis progressive make him down to us in classtnate, Aristotle learnt Ilie them is and physics to Herpyllis, l~is system of Grylus), On 'Metapl~ysics', the wr4itings, is the the an the time or later Ross
ill

that was the witl~drawal 12), it was

for~ns and more the

metl~odology is scientific; his . work is systematic, his writings are analytical. Aristotle's each essay begins with the words: 'Observation shows tnethodology in Aristotle. Some such features are: "His (Aristotle's) conception of systematic knowledge is "The world is a plurality of what we would today call formulated"; "Matter ... Dynan~ically, matter is centred as potentiality distirictively rational". Major characteristic features of Aristotle's under:

a)
rationailstic"; according to him: "Basic concepts and relations in each field are grasped directly on outcomes of an inductive process"; "Data are furnisl~ed by accumulated observation, fro111 analytic sifting of alternative explanation"; meiit. Aristotle's chief the scope of the at the developing life of other natural phenomena. Abraham Edel identifies features of scientific the general. Plato argued metl~ods, which he was already using to investigate other aspects of nature. Aristotle the biologist looks at the developments in political life in and cures of revolutions.

3.2.3 His Methodology

Aristotle's allnost poetic whereas that of Aristotle, prose-like. Scientific as Aristotle's whicl~ he found was proven empirically and scientifically. Unlike his teacher Plato who proceeded from the general to the particular, lie followed the path from the particular to scientific way arrived at his conclusions by

method in his approach to politics, Aristotle followed the scientific and analytical methodology. Plato's style is i..e., sixth to eighth (traditionally, fourth to sixth) deal witli tlie tirne, historical, comparative, inductive, and observational. Barker comments that Aristotle's more empirical grasp of how politics works to tlie real political world. Barker puts tlie order of the eight books of developlnelit of Aristotle's ideas: the first three books deal had employed over a thousand people for reporting to wllicli several essays written at various the scholars have no unanimity. Jaeger argues rnade between "The Original Politics" (Books, 2, 3, 7, 8) which is Platonist in inspiration and which deals with Ideal state or the best possible, and fourth and the fifth books (traditionally arranged as tlie witli the construction of and tlie ideal or the best possible state, fanlilies and villages which came into existence for satisfying the him to classify states as .he imagines. his Politics as well. Like Plato, Aristotle does conceive 'a good life'

Itzrkrctive
in the margins. Aristotle's ethical life. 'lionourable life' on the inductive approach about the state as a union of than inductive where Aristotle's methodology is than deductive. The deductive features of Aristotle's

contributioll to political science is to bring the subject wit11 conclusions that there is a distinction to be for111 as and form are
I

hotneostatic systems, whose ground plan lnetllodology was different from Plato. While Plato adopted the cotilrnon opinion him anything of scientific nature. He did not accept
nnd

lnetllodology are quite visible, culll~i~iating actuality"; Same is true about (his deductive the force of

Declr~ctive: Plato's
...". It is said that Aristotle the Politics on witli -elative analytic concepts. he observes them but lie never loses sight of the truly "Aristotelian Politics" (Books 4, 5, 6) which contain a tliat were pre-conceived while Aristotle, in a lnetl~od of study is, it is, at the

Nicor~~nchean Ethics does

the beginning of preliminary principles and criticism, his logic and analysis. a~lalysis of tlie actual states, and also with the causes and traditional generalisation"; "Theoretical principles rnaterial needs of man. thinking) but tinies about tlie basis of internal

l~~etllod of investigation is more deductive incluctive the last three books, "Man is seventh and ~nethodology can be briefly explained as thougli shades of Plato's seasoning remain he builds, 'good' lnay be discovered and rationally Etnpiricisln was Aristotle's cotl'tain eighth boolts) deal I-Iis inductive style compels the construction of the mucll same matter of politics icleals of normative thinking the same way tliat lie looks anil Anything except the best state that within the pliilosopliical emerge nluch ancl

the general and coming down to particular. material requisites out comtnon to project Aristotle against Plato as Andrew Hacker (Political Theory, 1961) really does. One is acclaimed to be a scientist while the other, a philosopher, one a reformist, the other, a radical; one willing to work and build afresh. On tlie farthest possible extreme, fiom a multitude of facts to c.o~istructed." Aristotle was one beginning that separated Aristotle from Plato, the pupil from tlie teacher. Their view about life was different; their vision about the world was different; their approaches were different and accordingly, they differed in conclusions. Maxey writes: "Where ~ l a i o is eloquent, Aristotle is terse; where Plato leaps from commol~wealth that is the best liis mind can conceive, Aristotle gives us the

THEORY
3.3.1 Plato and Aristotle
There was much 'pervel-ted' forms of states. c) stateslnan and a physician. d) imagitlatiori take flight, Aristotle is factual arid dull; where
b)

of which, by adapting them to circumstances a model state may be both Annlyticrrl

analytical as well as observational. In analysed things and, therefore, reached conclusions. went on to explain its study of 158 constitutions of liis times. cotnmon between a ruler and an his studies 'I'hrough study, experiments and observation, Aristotle extensioli of family's nature, and state as tlie that all his studies are based on his historical analysis: tlie nature of the causes and description of revolution, which Aristotle takes up in ~netliod of study both intensively and extensively. His classification of states together with the consequent cycle of change is based on pill-pose-nian lives in society to attain his development; state helps man to achieve liis end. Following his Historical the comparative natiue model of craftsmanship. Aristotle insisted that works, like an artist and in the process it seeks to attain the object for which, it exists. Nature, Aristotle used to say, did ~iothing colisiders family as the extension Aristol.le takes recourse in the past to analysing and investigating political phenomena. His approach was teleological using the comparative methods of Teleologictfl

PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS POLITICAL

with particular

were based on data and facts, witlioi~t a Plato's disciple but

atzrl

constituents-famililies,
nttd

sti~dying political phenomena. on one advocating political realism, the other adhering to political idealism; rr~zcl Regarding state as something of a Co~tparntive: Aristotle can claim to be the father of historical and aslist, between a the actual state, the other, anxious to recast Observrltioncrl: his A~znlogicrrl: Aristotle pursued teleological and analogical methods of collclusions ge'neral concepts of logical conclusions, Aristotle slowly works and ending at general, the other starting wliole thought-process, exteilsion of village's nature. the Politics, have been dealt historically. Aristotle also follows Through comparative analysis he speaks about the 'pure' and he was liis critic as well. It is, therefore, that are logical but Aristotle's methodology was teaches Plato, Aristotle found atid villages. of undeistand the present. which

~nan's nature, village as the

-

Considering history as a key to all the secrets, canie under liis he observed Hc declares man, a social wkole, for example, Aristotle not tinal; where Plato gives the state Inore than lie thought; all The fact is from Iceen milcll in his intensive observatiotl. ani~nal by nature, I'lato let his 11s an ideal

the otlier." Aristotle's criticism of Plato, violent as it is at matter I of fact. ~oster I (Masters of Political that he is, is permeated by Platonism to a degree in I'lato's communism created a fanlily is one thing and a state is something different, and it is better the state ceases to be a state. Sabine says: "A
.

Aristotle doubted if Plato's community of wives and property would help produce the desired unity. Rather, he regards propcsty created conflicts while that of the fa~nily would evaporate. By providing co~nnlunistic devices, Plato, Aristotle Felt, had punished the guardians and erljoying one's rights rather than performing one's duties. For Aristotle, .justice was a practical activity virtue and not doing things illconceived political structure. Plato, in his Republic did where the rulers were virtuous, there was no need of laws, and the laws were useless. Aristotle realised the significance of laws the view that rule of law was any day better than the rule of men,

might be. Even Plato realiscd the utility of laws Tile failure to allow circulation, says David Young (Rhetorical lilay be ambitious, and wise, but are not in the right class of society to hold any type of political Inen tlie idea of one class (guardians consisting of the rulers and the auxiliaries) more or less ignored rights. In otlier words, Aristotle labelled Plato's justice as having the political power with performance of one's duties. Aristotle did not approve of the with one's nature. Plato's justice was ethical in nature while more specifically, legal in nature. Plato's justice was, as Aristotle believed, incomplete in so far as it dealt predominantly with duties, and ilnportance of the state the notion of justice, for he, unlike Plato, found justice more in the realms of Polirical Theory, First Indian Edition, 1973). Aristotle criticised Plato's state as an artificial creation, built successively in three stages with producers coming first and thereafter followed by the auxiliaries and the rulers. As an architect, Plato built the state. Aristotle, like Plato, considers the state like a human organism, but unlike unity in divessity. Aristotle did not agree Aristotle's criticisms of Plato were on the following grounds. His greatest complaint against Plato was that he made a departure from experience. Aristotle says: "Let us remember that we should not disregard the experience of ages; in the multitude of years these things, if they were good, would

admitted Plato's works were "brilliant and suggestive" but were at the same time "radical and speculative" (See Sabine, A History of the result of nurnerous forms of the society before society were natural, so was natural the state as well. With Plato, Aristotle does recognise the moral in nature since it gave primacy to the who
Bul

growtll him, he docs not think of there is for the individual, power." Aristotle, certainly not have been unknown...". and revised his position in his depiived them of intrinsic love and evolution. He says that if the other fact as well and that is Thozlg-ht, 1969) says: family of the state which, according to Aristotle, led to a point where with Plato on that these devices as impracticable for family led to a not consider laws as important. He was of one and also,
011

l~owsoever wise those rulers he continues, three classes of Plato's ideal state, especially the guardians tlzem. He disagreed with

sl~ould not try to age the contrary, regarded tlie state as a the state as a unity. For Aristotle, the state was a which perhaps system where love and discipline "Aristotle tlie greatest of all that of Aristotle juridical or e~~joyiiig all power of Discotir,~e, Lnws. times on grounds mentioned the loolts among the members of the family. and Ile upon this ruling class that 2001), "between classes wllere no great held there is a Plato
ill

communism of they are not, there accordance the state. pl~ilosoplier bcsidcs natural organisation, Platonists the opinion that

in Ilerein, is a within the system as an Aristotle. exclr~des those him has

' 1

student."

3.3.2 Politics and Ethics

Aristotle is not a takdn up by Aristotle." (Dunning: A History be an of Political Theories, 1966 edition). It would not be unfair Plato's if ideals, the pupil builds is thought on them. to Ross (Aristotle, 1923) points out: "But of his (Aristotle's) philosophical, in distinction from his scientific, works, there is no page which does not bear the impress of Platonistn". Both; Plato and Aristotle, examine tlie actual and stop at the possible. There is, in each, a belief in natural inequality, in the domillance of reason over the passion, in the self-sufficing state as the only unit necessary for individual development. Like his teacher Plato, Aristotle thinks that the interest of the state is the interest of those who constitute it. Indeed, Aristotle's criticism of Plato cannot be ignored, and in fact, he had no regrets on that

'
count. Will truth." So writes own community, an off-shoot of the family; formed originally for the satisfaction of natural wants, state exists for moral ends and for the family, formed originally for the satisfaction of natural wants, state exists for moral ends and for the Jthics, developnleilt of Aristotle clearly says: "We regard the object of politics as supreme been where Plato ends up. ''The ideas, expressed by Plato as suggestions, illusions or illustrations are

Plato's type, but the philosophical basis of his political ideas cannot be ignored. There is the philosophical basis in whole of pl.ornotion of the higher life; a good and honourable life of the members of the community." nf political and ethical life. His Nicomachean Ethics is an inspiration to his Politics: 1) For Aristotle, tlie state is not merely a political illlprint not Caesar less, but his political theory. There is a belief of ct-eator of everything. According to him, every phenomenon has two aspects: form and matter. As fa~iiily through the village against Plato, Aristotle gives significance to what constitutes matter, whereas Plato believes that whatever is visible is important in so Far as it is itself tlie result of numerous elements constituting it, tlie Izuma~~ one would say nature to the form. Aristotle, on the other hand, is convinced that what is visible is also pal* of the soul. Aristotle is a political realist, but in it, he In ~noral ends. fact Aristotle does not regard politics as a separate science from ethics; politics is mrds, politics is, in Aristotle's views, continuation of, and whicl~ is ethical. Aristotle also believes that man's soul has two parts, logical and illogical, and through ethical vil-tues, the same time a , government, a school, an ethics, and culture. It is what expresses man's whole life; gives

Inan a good life permeated extelision of corilpletion and a verification of ethics. To say it that Ebe~lsteiil (Great Political thinkers): "Plato of man attains rationality, livc in communities; Plato. the G.od in Aristotle: this provides a spiritual outlook to Durant rightly says: "As start with ideal, ethical perfection of that as it is part of human nature to seek human beings. by pliilosopher of In form only activates it, the teacher. Aristotle, Rome more, so Aristotle the fact, Aristotle begins From whiclz, in turn, tllo~lght of another." Every page which Aristotle writes bears the the shadow of co~ztitluation which is wc are social animals, the state is

In Nicomachean Ethics guides his political theory, seeking the logical Inan is possible only in a state and lneans a moral and Brutus (a character of Shakespeare Julius Caesar) loves the attainment of with ethics. If guides it and instead of damaging has not lost sight of politics existing to achieve its a genuine says--dear is Plato, but dearer still is found the corrective to helps it to attain its end and the state is a development from the
it1

olle would like to put Aristotle's point, inoral organisation for advancing the community; it is at the other I~appiness, it is also a part of ethical living. him, considering God as the promoti011 of his thinking in his the co-relation the

man, so in a good citizen there ought to be qualities such as cooperation, tolerance, self-control, qualities which Aristotle says, are imbibed by practice. Thus practice helps attain qualities and politics helps achieve ethical ends.
,

3) Ethics and politics are so closely related that it is through politics, Aristotle asserts, that we see ethical life. As politics, he continues is a science of practice and as through our activities we seek the achievement of moral virtues, it is, he concluded, in our own hands to adopt good or bad
I

5) Aristotle's political theory is intimately related to his ethical theory. His theory ofjustice, for example, is ethical-oriented. For Aristotle, justice is virtue, a complete virtue, promote the common interest." For Aristotle, justice is no less significant, for he regards justice as the very virtue of the state. It is justice that makes a state, gives it a vision and coupled with ethics, it takes the state to the heights of all ethical values. Justice saves virtue justice is the very practice of that virtue. So Aristotle says: "The good in the sphere of politics is justice, and justice contains what tends to same thing as virtue, but it is virtue, and virtue in action. Justice is virtue, but it is Reason is, for example, a virtue, but the reasonable/rational conduct is justice; truth is a virtue, but to be truthful is justice. What makes a law and justice, he is the worst of all." Like his teacher, Plato, Aristotle regarded justice as the statelpolity. According to

ARISTOTLE
3.4.1 Theory of Justice
Like his teacher Plato, Aristotle believed that justice is the very essence of the state and that no polity can endure for a long time ofjustice. It is with this consideration in view that Aristotle seeks to set forth his theory of justice. He held the view that justice provides an aim to the state, and an object to the individual. "When perfected, man is the best of animals, but

virtues. Through our efforts we can attain qualities and leave what is not virtuous. 4) Aristotle's basis of political theory is his ethics. In his work on ethics, he says emphatically that man is different 2) In him, justice is virtue, complete virtue, and the embodiment of all goodness. It is morality personified and Nico~~zachean Ethics. In proportionate which for Aristotle meant to treat equals equally, and unequals, unequally. Ethics is otlly a basis for his political theory, it is its escort on inspiration as well. Nowhere in more active and more rational than animals. It is through his rationality, the element of reason in him, that man does what is in his interest or is in the interest of Ize is a part; he seeks what is good for him and for l~olds the view, and not animals, have had lessons of ethics. moral qualities a man should possess. In Politics as well, be points out the qualities of a citizen; a good man can only be a good citizen. As in a good not the discussion of his Politics, equality

POLITICAL IDEAS OF
his Niconmchean Ethics, he describes the tile view about justice is distributive linked to the notion of all that is good. This is his notion of justice in his more than virtue; it is virtue in action, I~is political ideas does Aristotle say anything which is not ethical. from animal his fellow-beings. Men, Aristotle wheil separated

unless'it is in so far as he is the the state community of which fouilded on a right scheme from very breadth of the from destruction, it makes the state and i.e., virtue in practice. not the

.a balance between the ever-increasing population and' ever-decreasing opportunities of communis~n of property. Plato thought of property as an obstacle in the proper functioning of the state and, therefore, suggested and distribution. I11 Plato's communism of property, those who produce do-not obtain the reward of

Faniily and Slavery

Aristotle's theory of property is based
Y

Plato was that he failed to balance the claims of production comlnunism for what one contributes; ii) Plato's justice is related to 'duties'; it is duties-oriented i.e., with his external activities. Aristotle's theory ofjustice is worldly, associated with man's conduct in practical life, of course with all ethical values guiding him. But he was unable to co-relate dimension of justice to its legal

3.4.2 Property,
the guardian class. But for Aristotle, property provided psychological satisfaction by fulfilling the froin the advantage of one who has been One can i.e., it is virtue in action, goodness in practice, vi) Plato's justice is related to one's inner self, accordat~ce to one's abilities) is far, far away who observes laws but does not demand from the society Ihe recipients-equals to be treated equally and unequal, unequally. The corrective justice takes

no account of the position of the parties concerned. But i) for Plato, justice is the performance of one's duties to the best of one's abilities goodl~ess, its one aspect. A person seeking particular justice is one than what he deserves. Particular justice is of two types-distributive and corrective. For Aristotle, distributive justice hands out honours and rewards whereas Aristotle's justice is related to 'rights'; it is rights-oriented; iii) Plato's v) Plato's justice is spiritual whereas Aristotle's, practical, that of Aristotle is legal; iv) the exercise of complete goodtless not only in himself but also towards his neiglibours." Particular justice is a part of mean what is lawful or what is fair and equal". For Aristotle, justice is either general or it is particular justice as a part of cc General general justice; a part of complete virtue if by general justice we mean political life pure and recog~iising two senses of the word. By 'Just', we the soul; Aristotle's justice is related to man's actions, and capacities; for Aristotle, justice is the reward in proposition to ' and performance of one's duties while for Aristotle it meant what people deserve, the right to receive. ~ 0 t h Iiad a conception of distributive justice. For Plato, that

coinpare the denied, and inflicting punishment to justice is complete goodness.. nlore theory of justice is essentially moral and tlie from the realities of the political huinan instinct for possession and one and adding it to dimel~sion. His distributive justice (rewards in completefgeneral justice; it is, therefore, a part of coniplete may notioll of justice as given by healtliy. Ross says: "Aristotle begins by silnply secures equality between the two by taking away accordirig to on his criticism of Plato's tile disadvantage of ..It is tlle merits of i.e., co~nplete in one who has denied wo~.ld. It is, indeed, difficult to bring about what comes PIato and Aristotle: owl~erskip. His chief complaint against colnplete pl~ilosophical; the the fullest sense, because it is straight from

other, giving justice to virtue. According to Aristotle, meant individual excellence others their justice. the their efforts, and those etilical the state.

tlic fourwalls of tlie 01' the superior species. to For woman, wiser than tlie slave and more experienced

rhat man is
and wife) and parental (between tlie fatlier and fatlicr rules three types of husband rules tlie wife (Aristotle regards women inferior to man, an incomplete male), and the action of society. If cxtcnsion of union of families and villages. A family, children.
54

of anybody, and therefore, will be neglected by all alilte." Aristotle believed cooperation, tlie primary love, tolerance, and sacrifice. It is not merely a Ilnvc a thousand nurlurcd, gets his identity, , of the common interest, I to fulfil, as in
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"'I'o acquire too the Plato's communism of families, Aristotle writes: "For that which is

greatest number other considerations, everybody is more inclined to neglect something lian~mer too heavy". As against fanlily is the primary unit of social life, which not only main private, but common in use." Private property is essential and has to be the most dangerous situation; (ii) with socialism, but would and common use, a devise invariably iiiipracticable; (iv) individual ownership and common use, a device generally possible and equally acceptable. Aristotle says: "Wealtli (property) is a store of things, which are necessary or useful for life in the association of city as Accordillg he is provided lnealls of satisfying the ow~iership of property, Aristotle referred to: (i) individual ownersliip, have wll0 llerefore, of
f~;

atid proper as the is inan's nature; the village, tlie extension of families; a the liouseliold." most unnatural

needs of comtnon pnlt do slle]ter, ilcquired opi~lio~l end up in has the least care bestowed upon it. Everyone not Professor of witli necessaries." Aristotle says, is Plato, Aristotle advocated the private family system. According to sotis to the son. mucli wealtli (property) will be as gross an error as to scliool of social virtue where a child gets his name and above all attains managing sasteoance and production". that m8n is a social animal which Aristotle insists relatio~isl~ips and ow~iersliip, and individual Iiinl, man is fanlilies many attendants are often less useful Aristotle: "Property is a part of the that property is necessary for one who produces it and for that tliro~~gli honest means: "Of all

who will not be liis sons individually, but anybody will be equally capitalis~n; it is also not acceptable; liouse, good provision
din

tliat Maxey expresses Aristotle's voice method." Aristotle was also against order to do so, must acquire With (the rulers and and individual use, which is, for Aristotle, the tile family is and only when lie is himself concerned as an individual. For co~isists of husband, wife, tliat of l~ouseliold; for no man lives well, or indeed live at all his belief in patriarchy Aristotlc tlie head of nature With of propesty, ultimately, reads to conflicts and only one institution where an tlierefore, is justified, is what is the master and slave, marital (between makes in supplying wild animals, and the regard to for tlie child). the auxiliaries), get all comforts of life. His l~ousehold work and reproduction tlic

use, a Prope~ty is necessary, Aristotle says himself: irltellect~ral development. the family. Likewise, Aristotlc tlie means of acquiring wealth, taking interest is "prope~ty sitoation which can Tlie master, Aristotle held, rules prirnary association, but is a necessary rnakes society but keeps it propesty. Tlie liouseliold and cliildren, slaves (iii) common ownership when lie says: "Man most eat, be clad, lessoris of quality thinks atid the state, an extension, ainassing property. So lie ought to be inrlividunl is born, is he is, wanted tlian a few. cl~iefly of tlian family becomes iiistinct to do so is as the art of make a Aristotle's thesis, but it to and

begin which he expects generally and in tlie Ilie I-Ie asserts tliat cotninon to kcel, women the Each citizen will aftjrnivti
properly. It

liis sucll nrlcl I~usbantl acqoiring owti, goi~ig. clasbes. He was matter, necessary A~~istotle, as

~zu:*L~lrc
the the hardly at all o~lless conclusio~i, witlii~i Criticising arirl

the son
slavc; saicl:

frumily is irlvolves propclty nnothcr bcsitlcs ~iatural Il~e

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