During this life, contemplation about life and the journey was also part of the plan toward the best life. Contemplation, for this type of philosophy, is an activity that refines and discovers virtue which, carried out continuously throughout one's life, allows one to reach a clear goal of self-actualization, and thus the potential within.
And it this is true of the body, how much more just that a similar distinction should exist in the soul? But the beauty of the body is seen, whereas the beauty of the soul is not seen. It is clear, then, that some men are by nature free, and others slaves, and that for these latter slavery is both expedient and right (V). In this humans have character, and what that character should be. Some are born to become and remain leaders -- the idea of the philosopher king or the people who can see beyond the objective into the subjective. Then there are those -- still good people, who "are wanting in spirit, and therefore they are always in a state of subjection and slavery" (VII). And while moderation in all things is the prudent path, vice and virtue, happiness and sadness, avarice and complete empathy -- are all examples of modes of behavior that may have adverse moral and ethical components. The modern, or doctrine of the mean, option, allows humans to be sensible and to account towards right action. This, for Aristotle, was the height of humanness -- our ability to contemplate such thoughts as this, debate upon them, and yet societally, find a way to integrate them. Slaves live according to their own rule, their own salvation; they can be no other way.
But is there any one thus intended by nature to be a slave, and for whom such a condition is expedient and right, or rather is not all slavery a violation of nature? There is no difficulty in answering this question, on grounds both of reason and fact. For that some should rule and others be ruled is a thing not only necessary, but expedient, from the hour of their...
This is Aristotle's launching pad for his discussion of politics. To him, ethics and politics are matters of rational judgment, stemming from the natural inclinations of individual humans. This notion is reflected in Aristotle's analysis of the constitutional doctrines of some 158 cities. Essentially, he recognized that every state -- necessarily city states -- exist in unique sets of circumstances that act upon the universal forms of ethics in ways
Slavery was an essential element of the society of Ancient Greece. Social life, in numerous ways -- family, commerce, politics, was heavily dependent on a class of people who fulfilled tasks their masters saw as degrading. Although, the concept of slavery represented a fundamental aspect of the practical construction of democracy, it is not the only factor that has lead to the development of this complex political institution which is
Plato and Socrates -- Human Soul There are a number of philosophical tenets that have been the subject of intense scrutiny since humans coalesced into formal societies. Who are we as a species? Where do we fit in with the universe? What is morality? Do the ends justify the means? Moreover, most of all, why are we here and are we free to act as individuals toward greater good? Free will,
slavery and citizenship in Aristotle's Politic: Aristotle believes that most people in the world can be enslaved devoid of injustice as they are born to be slaves. At the same time some are born to be free and dominate as masters. Most modern critics have smeared these concepts of Aristotle. In this paper the writer evaluates the concepts of citizenship and slavery in light of Aristotle's politic to reveal not
.. The superior man is broad and fair; the inferior man takes sides and is petty... A superior man shapes the good in man; he does not shape the bad in him. It is said that a disciple once asked Confucius to define the conduct of one's entire life with a single word. The Chinese philosopher replied: "Is not reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself
Man and the Right Government Plato's work has been much criticized as class bound, as many thought it reflected the moral and aesthetic standards of an elite in a civilization were slavery was a natural thing for many. Plato tries to depict the advantages of the rule of society by a high-minded minority. After describing the first political utopia of the western world, Plato starts analyzing the types of government that
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