Aristotle: The Relationship Between Slavery and Political Government and Constitution
Aristotle (384-322 BC) was a Greek philosopher as well as a scientist and social thinker. He is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the ancient world and his views on political theory still have influence today.
Central to all his philosophical thinking is the idea of reason and rationality. Aristotle's view that reason was the primary and most important aspect of human nature has important implications for his theory of the political constitution of society, and particularly for his justification of slavery. His thinking was based on the belief that the constitution and ordering of society as a political body should be based on the principle of reason and order that was to be found in nature.
Aristotle conducts his philosophical inquiries based on the presuppositions that the universe is a rational and ordered whole in which each part has a distinct purpose and function. Reason can discern a thing's purpose by looking at its origin and characteristics in order to determine the end for which it exists. (ClassicNote on Aristotle's Politics)
From this rational standpoint Aristotle developed his ethical theories which are concerned with the way human life and society should be run. This relates to his idea of the 'ultimate good', which refers to the greatest virtue and happiness for society and the individual. He argues that the "ultimate good for a human being is a life lived according to virtue and in contemplation of the highest truths of the universe ... Aristotle's political views are inextricably linked to his emphasis on virtue and reason in relation to the ultimate good for a human being."
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