POLI 107 1st Edition Lecture 4 Aristotle Sought knowledge of the entirety of politics the relative and absolute good as well as inferior or even bad His published works are taken from lectures collected from his school the Lyceum The Politics is his most significant work of poli sci Aristotle wanted to establish a new poli sci that covers both the ideal and actual Aristotle vs Plato Key difference Aristotle s focus on the actual world vs Plato s focus on the ideal Both viewed the polis as an educative institution designed to make its people good Both associated virtue with knowledge and the study of virtue is the beating heart of political theory Aristotle objects to Plato s radicalism and speculation poli sci should be based on facts Aristotle critiques Plato s Forms based upon a doctrine of substance Aristotle also believed the morality cannot be taught as pure ideas Important point of departure knowledge of the good is not simply learned but also derived from experience o Experience is the primary source of the most valuable knowledge one can achieve practical knowledge b c it is in the material realm that we make morally meaningful choices Aristotle s Teleology Teleology an explanation of something based upon the ends it serves Aristotle derives his teleology from nature o In life all things progress through stages including the human soul We achieve excellence and experience the supreme Good through the soul Aristotle is chiefly concerned with the natural development of the soul how we can become virtuous people i e acorn to tree baby to adult Our development into virtuous people is not automatic We must seize opportunities to learn what it is to be Good and then be Good Nature has given us reason which is the basis for our moral agency o We are capable of making morally meaningful choices This challenge involves translating our natural disposition toward being Good into actually being Good most of us will struggle unless we live in a properly governed polis Aristotle believes a virtuous life depends upon careful conditioning and habituation o This is a natural function the polis may fulfill In this way the polis represents a vital stage in our natural human development Why the Polis Humans are naturally social beings Social interaction facilitates self sufficiency The polis is a key source of moral values chief among them justice Why Political Science Study of poli sci is primarily concerned with understanding our natural development into the highest form of human association the polis city Application of poli sci will help us build better cities so as to achieve our natural ends and be happy and complete people Aristotle s Science of the Polis Aristotle does not seek a universal definition Instead he observes patterns and identifies types Two general types of constitutions o True pure law abiding o Perverted despotic Typology of six forms o True adhere to the law allow the function and thereby enable citizens to live better lives Monarchy Best of the pure forms though monarchies are also unstable Aristocracy Moderate democracy polity o Perverted subordinate law to the regime Tyranny Oligarchy Extreme democracy mob rule o Best practicable constitution is the mixed form combining elements of democracy and oligarchy Mixed constitution brings together superior administration and popular power Mixed constitutions are unstable if the distribution of wealth is unbalanced Best conditions for a mixed constitution consists of a large middle class which balances the interests of the poor and the rich Aristotle s Art of the Statesman The art of the statesman is the highest of human arts Statesman must draw upon convention and common sense Statesmen oversee the functioning of the city Statesmen are beholden to the law and must be intimately knowledgeable of it Aristotle Law Law is a necessary component of sound effective govt Law prevents arbitrary rule Law is a highly effective mean to communicate a society s good practices Law entails the accumulated wisdom of a people Studying law facilitates the pursuit of virtue and happiness Key Observations The City is essential to the happiness of the individual Political theory is a practical science to be applied to the real world Humans are naturally disposed towards excellence Though we may struggle we retain the potential to achieve it o The City is crucial toward this end Aristotle s Politics CF 107 o What do you recall about his scientific conclusions regarding the process of growth involving the polis o What are the two necessary components CF 108 o What is the essential quality of the ruling element CF 108 109 o Aristotle relates the three stages or forms of association that culminate in the polis Do you recall what these are CF 109 It is evident that the polis or a being higher than man o Those who live w o the polis is either a beast or god The former cannot appreciate what it takes to be happy the latter could achieve happiness through divine power o Since humans are neither we must embrace the polis to satisfy our natural ends CF 117 A natural impulse is thus each of us individually o All people have a shared interest in the Good Life o At a minimum we are naturally compelled to seek each other out even if it gives us nothing in return CF 120 In all states there may be lead of reason o There is a valued role for reasoned discussions in politics o The rich and poor tend to strike biased positions relative to the proper aims of the state o Reason is vital to good governance