The members of a state must either have 1 all things or 2 nothing in. He defines a city as a community that seeks some sort of good. And since we take for our special consideration the study of the form of political community that is the best of all the forms for a people able to pursue the most ideal mode of life, we must. Cities are made up of groups of people living in a particular place. Aristotles politics book ii summary and analysis gradesaver. Book i of the politics provides the reader with insight into aristotle s philosophical method as well as his views on human nature. The word telos means something like purpose, or goal. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Summary book 1, chapter 1 aristotle outlines the relationship between rulers and ruled in the ancient world, noting, every state is a community of some kind. Now as a community of wives is attended with many other difficulties, so neither does the cause for which he would frame his government in this. Still, the comments that aristotle makes about the various regimes reveal some of aristotle s own ideas of the best. Our purpose is to consider what form of political community is best of all for those who are most able to realize their ideal of life. Much of this chapter is given over to critical analysis of utopian ideas as to the best state and constitution, and of actual existing states.
Aristotle conducts his philosophical inquiries based on the presuppositions that the universe is a rational and ordered whole in. Aristotle, politics book 1 from the family to the city. Aristotle concludes book ii by saying that, in light of whats been discussed, its hard work to be excellent. Aristotles politics book i summary and analysis gradesaver. A discussion of the ideas found in aristotles politics, book 2. Since one extreme is generally worse than the other, its best to aim for the lesser of the evils. Politics book i lyrics i every state is a community of some kind, and every community is established with a view to some good. It is best to study these matters by looking at their natural origins.
Politics by aristotle full audio book book 1 youtube. The annenberg cpbproject provided support for entering this text. Purchase a copy of this text not necessarily the same edition from. Politics aristotle translated by benjamin jowett batoche books kitchener 1999. Aristotle himself discusses it in book ii, chapter 3 of the physics and book i, chapter 3 of the metaphysics. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of politics and what it means. Rulers should aim to direct as many citizens as possible toward good, whether in the form of societal order, greater wisdom, or other positive goals. This core concept video focuses on aristotles work, the politics, and examines his discussion in book 1 which traces out the development of human communities from the. In can often be difficult to sort out the main point that aristotle intends to make in book ii of the politics because it is just a running commentary about the good and bad aspects of different theoretical and actual regimes.
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