Analysis of Aristotles The Politics Essay -- Aristotle Poetics Politi

An Analysis of Aristotles The regimeIn The Politics, Aristotle would turn over us believe that man by nature is a govern handstal animal. In other words, Aristotle seems to feel that the virtu each(prenominal)y graphic thing for workforce to do is to come together in some compliance of political connection. He then contends that this political association is essential to the pursuit of the advanced life. Finally he attempts to distinguish what forms of political association ar most suitable to the pursuit of this good life. In formulating a critique of The Politics, we shall first examine his claims as to what is natural to man and whether the criterion of the natural is sufficient to demonstrate virtue. We shall then examine what it is ab forbidden political association that is essential to the pursuit of the good life. In conclusion, we shall see whether Aristotles recommended mix of oligarchy and commonwealth is really suited to the practice of the good life. It seems t o me that there is indeed something to a greater extent natural to man than authorities. While it is true that wherever you find men you tend to find political associations, it is also true that not all human associations are political. Aristotle rightly points out the family is a basic form of association that is mostly apolitical. Religion brings people together, as does the economic bank to trade and pursue economic activity. None of these spheres of human activity gage be said to necessitate politics. These spheres of human action however, are plain found wherever human beings can be found, hence they are more natural in the sense that they automatically arise. Aristotles account of the make-up of the state is pure historical rationalization. He says that the state is natural because it arises out of mor... ...r to preserve virtue in the face of rampant vice than in times where individual virtue abounds in order to maintain perceptual constancy and justice. The nature of p olitics is power over material things however, not virtue. rightness and virtue may be the professed functions and goals of politics, but this does not define what politics in fact are. A perplexing question however, is that of how the ideal disposition will be brought about when the virtuous have no concern in bringing it about precisely because virtue is defined by disinterestedness. Works CitedBarnes, Jonathan, ed. The Complete Works of Aristotle. 2 vols. Princeton Princeton University Press, 1984Lord, Carnes. Aristotle The Politics. Chicago University of Chicago Press, 1984Nehamas, Alexander. Virtues of genuineness Essays on Plato and Aristotle. Cambridge Cambridge University Press, 1999