Legal Philo (1)
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Politics: Book Twoby Aristotle
Reported by: Aristotle (group)
Escaro, Vance Ivor
Dalija, Erick
Mata, Nomar Jethro
Ona, John Joseph
IntroductionBook Two of the Politics discusses
the forms of political community that would be best to be able to realize the ideal life
This is different to Aristotle’s work, Ethics, which in part discusses the ideal life◦ Ideal life: eudaimonia (happiness) and
phranesis (practical wisdom)
IntroductionBook two is composed of twelve parts:
◦ Parts I-VIII – criticism on theoretical states The Republic (I-V) Laws (VI) Theory of Phaleas (VII) Theory of Hippodamus (VIII)
◦ Parts IX-XI – criticism on (then) existing States
◦ Note: Constitution – organization of offices in a state; the governing body
Part I – Types of communityAristotle proposes three
possibilities regarding community and the sharing of goods1. All things are owned in common2. Nothing in common - impossible3. Some in common and some not
Part II – Plato’s Absolute Unity
In the Republic – the goal is to achieve as much unity as possible, including wives, children and property
‘the greater the unity of the State the better’
Aristotle argues that a State should maintain a degree of plurality and individuality
Part II – Plato’s Absolute Unity
He argues the greatest unity would be the destruction of the State
◦Principle of compensation: they cannot rule together. Some must rule and be ruled in turn
◦There must be different functions for a State to remain self-sufficient Individual vs. Family and Family vs. State
Part III – Things in commonA thing which is common to the
greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it
◦Everybody would be inclined to neglect the duty which he expects another to fulfill.
Part IV – Common wives and sonsAbsolute unity would lead to
having no relationships in the society (no father and son, no husband and wife)
Also, in the Republic, children are raised collectively in nurseries to be husbandmen, artisans or soldiers
Part IV – Wives and sons in commonBy this proposal, Aristotle argues that no child would receive proper parental care, and the lack of family ties would render citizens less capable of showing friendship and love
Part V – Properties in common
According to Aristotle, a land owned in common would be troublesome◦ If farmers share the fruits equally, those who
labor more will necessarily complain of those who labor little.
As a general rule, property should be private.◦ No complains◦ More progress because everyone will attend his
own business◦ However, the practice of generosity is a must,
since the problem with privatization arises from human wickedness(selfishness)
Part VI – Wealth and System of GovernmentPlato’s opinion: the amount of wealth
should be that which will enable a man to live temperately◦For Aristotle, this is too vague◦A man may live moderately, but miserably
Aristotle’s opinion: A man must have so much property as will enable him to live not only temperately but liberally◦ If liberally only – will result to luxury◦ If temperately only – will result to toil
Part VI – Wealth and System of GovernmentIn Laws, Plato wants a polity or a
balance between democracy and oligarchy but he is leaning rather to oligarchy.
For Aristotle, the best constitution is a combination of many forms. (monarchy, democracy and oligarchy)
Part VII – Criticism on PhaleasPhaleas – a Greek statesman
◦ Proposes a model city where its citizens are equal in property and education
◦ Aristotle disagrees
For Aristotle, equalization of property will result to the rich revolting
Moreover, material equality alone cannot make people good. The avarice of mankind is insatiable
Thus, the answer is education and temperance
Part VIII – Criticism on HippodamusHippodamus – a statesman of MiletusHippodamus’ city:
◦3 citizens – artisans, husbandmen, defenders
◦3 types of land – sacred, public (for soldiers), private( for husbandmen)
◦3 subject of lawsuits – insult, injury, homicide
◦Court of appeals – chosen elders◦Qualified judgement◦Discoverers are honored◦Officers are elected
Part VIII – Criticism on HippodamusAristotle: classes are confusing
◦Artisans have no lands nor arms◦Farmers have no arms◦Thus, the warriors have a greater
share in the government. ◦There will be no use for farmers
since warriors have their own land to cultivate
Part VIII – Criticism on HippodamusTo honor those who discover
anything can be dangerous◦It might not be for the benefit of the city◦Under the pretense of public service but
destructive to the constitution
Aristotle also discussed the evil in the habit of changing laws lightly◦Sometimes the advantage is small◦Encourages the habit of disobedience
Part IX – Spartan ConstitutionComposed of monarchy (king),
oligarchy (council of elders), democracy (ephors)
The state aims its citizens to be hardy and temperate. ◦Only to men. Women lived in
intemperance and luxury
Part IX – Spartan ConstitutionNeglect of women – harmful to economy
◦The dowry system made women hold 2/5 of the whole country
◦Aristotle: no dowries at all or moderate ones
Ephoralty – defective◦The highest authority◦Ephors are chosen from the people, often
from the very poor class◦Thus, open to bribes
Part IX – Spartan ConstitutionCouncil of elders – defective
◦The body grows old as well as the mind
◦Susceptible to partiality◦Also, susceptible to bribes
Kings – Aristotle is unsure whether they are advantageous or not
Part X – Cretan ConstitutionNearly resembles Spartan
◦Ephors = Cosmi◦Both has council of elders◦Kingly office – but then abolished
Cosmi are even worse than ephors; elders are worse than Spartan◦Sparta – everyone is eligible; Cretan – elected
out of certain families◦Elders are out of those who have been Cosmi◦Can be used as political advantage
Part X – Cretan ConstitutionTheir remedy is extraordinary
◦Cosmi can be expelled by colleagues or private individuals
◦The office of Cosmi can be suspended by nobles when they don’t agree to their judgements
Part XI – Carthage Constitution
Carthaginian resembles Spartan and Crete◦ Superiority of Cartheginian
Magistrates are elected according to merit Kings are out of distinguished families People can decide on important matters Magistrates are elected according to their wealth
The system focuses on the rich◦ The rich are rewarded too much, which
encourages avariceCarthaginian also has a bad principle of
having the same person hold different offices◦ Offices of the state should be distributed
among people
ConclusionBook Two which aims to identify the
perfect government results in an attack to others’ theories
For Aristotle, some characteristics of an ideal community are:◦A balance of plurality and unity◦Education is important and must be shared◦The ideal government is a mixture of
different forms◦Non-equalization of property◦Citizens must live temperately and liberally