Aristotles Views on Citizenship Essay - 1207 Words

Aristotles Views on Citizenship For Aristotle the human is by nature destined to live in a political association. Yet not all who live in the political association are citizens, and not all citizens are given equal share in the power of association. The idea of Polity is that all citizens should take short turns at ruling (VII, 1332 b17-27). It is an inclusive form of government: everyone has a share of political power. Aristotle argues that citizen are those who are able to participate in the deliberative and judicial areas of government (III, 1279a32-34). However, not all who live in a political association are citizens. Women, children, slaves, and alien residents are not citizens. Some groups; the rich, the poor, those who†¦show more content†¦A political animal means an animal whose nature is to live in a Polis or city, not isolated or in small groups. Civilization is the natural state for the human animal. It is the natural state not in the sense that it is the original state, but in the sense that t he natural goal of human development is life in cities. Aristotle recognizes that There is a natural distinction, [†¦] between what is female and what is servile (I, 1252 b1-2). However, they are normally subordinate to men: †¦the relation of male to female is that of natural superior to natural inferior, and that of ruler to ruled (I, 1254 b13-15). Women and children are ruled, not as slaves for the masters benefit, but for their own good, just as the rulers of a city must seek the good of the citizens, not the good of the rulers. The rule of husband over wife is a constitutional government. The rule of father over children is royal government. For a man rules his wife and children both as free people, but not in the same way: instead, he rules his wife the way a state man does, and his children the way a king does. For a male, unless he is somehow constituted contrary to nature, is naturally more fitted to rule then a female and someone older and completely developed is naturally more fitted to lead then some one younger and incompletely developed (I, 1259a 39-1259b 4). The relation of husband toShow MoreRelatedCitizenship The Perspectives Of Political Theorists Aristotle And Hanna Pitkin1484 Words   |  6 PagesTo tackle the term citizenship the perspectives of political theorists Aristotle and Hanna Pitkin come in handy in conceptualizing the term. Such honorable theorists have unique and yet intriguing views of citizenship, types of citizenship and the roles they play in societies. Although both theorists have different views and perspectives, they seem to come to similar conclusion when dissecting the difference between citizenship doing action and citizenship in the form of membership. Thus, the distinctionRead MoreAthenian Citizenship : Aristotle s Exclusions1511 Words   |  7 PagesAthenian Citizenship: Aristotle’s Exclusions In Aristotle’s interpretation of citizenship, it is clear that citizenship is a fluid title, applied to an exclusive group of men only after meeting certain qualifications, and revocable upon meeting certain others. While Aristotle is unable to answer clearly â€Å"who should properly be called a citizen and what a citizen really is† (p.85), he dedicates several chapters to explicating who is not a citizen in an attempt to determine who is. Though AristotleRead More Foundations of Political Thought Essays1664 Words   |  7 PagesAristotle and Socrates and Plato’s beliefs have similarities mainly evident in their denouncement of democracy for the state. The views of Socrates expressed and written by his pupil Plato are vastly philosophical in nature and he promotes the idea of questioning life to achieve insight. The philosophers who possess the absolute truth are the best equipped to rule society according to Plato and his Allegory of the Cave. Conversely, A ristotle takes a more political science approach of discussingRead MorePlato And Aristotle s View Of Civilian Expectations987 Words   |  4 Pagespartake in an analysis of Platonic theory regarding the roles and obligations expected of individuals within a society, referencing specific examples from Crito and other scholarly works. In succession, this paper will then dedicate a portion to Aristotle’s view of civilian expectations, and the factors which contribute to an individual’s willingness to accept and comply to governmental guidelines in his philosophical opinion. The concluding remarks of this paper will strive to provide a thoroughly scrutinizedRead MoreBiography of Socrates, An Annotated Bibliography1581 Words   |  6 PagesPlato’s â€Å"Symposium†.† Polity.39 .4 (2007): 502-521. Print. Mary P. Nichols, the chair of the Department of Political Science at Baylor University and author of Socrates and the Political Community (1987); Citizens and Statesmen: A Commentary on Aristotle’s Politics (1992); and Reconstructing Woody: Art, Love, and Life in the Films of Woody Allen (1997), argues that Socratic philosophy properly understood is a middle state and as such cannot represent an escape from one’s particular political communityRead MoreJustice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?1454 Words   |  6 Pagesquestions for us but rather implores us to look inside ourselves for the answers. This is accomplished by challenging the reader with cases, some hypothetical, and some real, in which the moral basis can be debated from different angles. We all have views on the death penalty, war, taxes, and religion but few of us take the time to reflect on the logical basis for these values. The first four chapters are filled with many cases that cause the reader to rethink these values or at least the reasoningRead MoreAristotle on Courage Essay1081 Words   |  5 PagesCowardly Lion is on a quest for the wizard to give him courage. He is afraid of everything and anything. However, in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle believes that courage is possible for all individuals. To gain courage one must have the inner qualities that will guide the courageous. The most important part of these qualities is to come to terms with death itself. Also, there are views of courage that are falsely perceived because they appear to be parallel with one another; nevertheless theyRead MoreSt. Augustine as the True Heir of Plato Essay1144 Words   |  5 PagesJustice is defined as the harmony that results when everyone is actively en gaged in fulfilling his role and does not meddle with that of others (Plato 434e). When each person follows their role in life, stability can be achieved in the state. Aristotle’s society in The Politics, is that of a realistic society, a city of man. Aristotle defines a citizen as a political animal, which means that for man to optimize the society in which he lives in, he must be politically active (Aristotle 1253a). ByRead MoreVirtue Ethics Theory Essay1459 Words   |  6 PagesIntellectual Virtues: human reason and rationality. (calmness, contemplation, reflection, wisdom, and knowledge) * Understanding virtue was necessary but insufficient; attaining a virtue required knowing AND doing. 7. Explain the meaning of Aristotle’s concept of teleology. * Observing in nature the purpose of everything; a thing that fulfills its purpose is good. 8. According to Aristotle, what is the purpose of any specific thing based on? * The purpose of any specific thing isRead MoreDemocracy : An Ideal State A Model For Future Societies1095 Words   |  5 Pagesquench the desire. With a new mindset, others would willingly follow someone who is has changed into a more favorable character. Plato wants to show how philosophy is essential to the city; he feels that it is important to the life of the city. Aristotle’s views differ from Plato for he felt that everything existed for a specific purpose, but he felt that happiness was the ultimate goal. In order to gain this happiness the state must play a role in bringing this to the population. The state did not exist