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Section: M3
SSN: 2532
Q1: What kind of community is the state (polis)?
Q2: What are the two relationships that can't exist without each other? What arises from these necessary relationships?
Q3: What method is used by Aristotle for this study?
Q4: How and why does the state come into existence?
Q5: How does Aristotle characterize a man without a state?
Q6: Explain the meaning of the phrase 'the state (polis) exists by nature'. What is the 'argument'?
Q7: Why is man said to be more a political animal than bees?
Q8: Explain the idea that the state is prior to the family.
Q9: What is the relationship between human flourishing and justice?
Date: 10 September 1999
Time: 14:13
A1:
The state is a group of villages made up of groups of families. They come together in order to achieve self-sufficiency. In short, a state is a large community of families living together for mutual benefit and the common good.
A2:
The two necessary relationships are male and female and natural ruler and subject. From male and female arise children which are a fulfillment of the need to continue with the race. From the ruler- subject relationship is there so that both can survive. The master gives foresight to actions and the subject carries out those actions, thus forming a relationship of the same interest.
A3:
He uses the method of breaking the whole into its parts. By breaking the state down into its base elements, it is easier to how different types of rule differ from one another and what scientific results we can get from them.
A4:
After a man and woman unite and form a family, those families will unite into a village. The aims were for something more than just the daily needs. When a group of villages unites into a group large enough to be basically self sufficient, a state is formed. It is formed as a result for the search of a good life.
A5:
Because man is by nature a political animal and therefore needs the state, without it he is either a bad man or above humanity, or a god. Being a natural outcast makes him a lover of war, according to Aristotle, and therefore and enemy to the state.
A6:
Because the other, lower forms of society are natural, then the state is as well. This is because the state is the end of the lower societal forms and the nature of any thing is its end. A state also provides self sufficiency, which is the end of all and the best, or in other words the best end.
A7:
Man is the only animal with the gift of speech. It is true that other animals have the gift of voice but speech is different in that its power is intended to set forth the expedient and inexpedient, and therefore the just and the unjust. This only enhances the political qualities of man.
A8:
The state is prior to the family and to the individual because the whole of anything is prior to anyone of its parts. The example is used of the body, that if the whole body is destroyed, the parts are also destroyed but if the part is destroyed, the whole can in most instances continue to function.
A9:
Justice is the bond of men in states. Without justice, a state cannot exist in harmony and the principle of order is undermined. Since the flourishing of a human being is dependant on the wellness of the state, justice is an integral part of that flourishing as the state, without justice, is not well.
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Section: M2
SSN: 9994
Q1: What kind of community is the state (polis)?
Q2: What are the two relationships that can't exist without each other? What arises from these necessary relationships?
Q3: What method is used by Aristotle for this study?
Q4: How and why does the state come into existence?
Q5: How does Aristotle characterize a man without a state?
Q6: Explain the meaning of the phrase 'the state (polis) exists by nature'. What is the 'argument'?
Q7: Why is man said to be more a political animal than bees?
Q8: Explain the idea that the state is prior to the family.
Q9: What is the relationship between human flourishing and justice?
Date: 10 September 1999
Time: 14:30
A1:
The community is established with a view of some good. If all communities aim at some good the state, which is highest of all, aims at a greater degree of good, at the highest good.
A2:
The first relationship is a union of those who cannot exist without each other, namely, of male and female, so the race may continue. The second is that of natural ruler and subject. Out of this relationship arises the family.
A3:
Aristotle sees the family as the association established by nature for the supply of men's everyday wants. He then realizes that every family is ruled by the eldest, and therefore in the colonies of the family the kingly form of government prevailed because they were of the same blood.
A4:
When several villages are united in a single complete community, large enough to be nearly or quite self-sufficing, the state comes into existence, originating in the bare needs of life, and continuing in existence for the sake of a good life.
A5:
He characterizes a man without a state as a bad man or above humanity.
A "tribeless, lawless, heartless one, whom Homer denounces.
A6:
Man has been given the gift of speech ad the power of speech is to set forth the expedient and inexpedient, and likewise the just and unjust; such a man is one who makes a family and state.
A7:
A man without a state is a lover of war compared to that of an isolated piece in a game of checkers.
A8:
The whole is of necessity prior to the part. An example is if the whole body were destroyed there would be no hand or foot left.
A9:
If man is not achieving excellence, he is the most unholy and the most savage of animals, and the most full of lust and gluttony. But justice is the bond of men in states; for the administration of justice, which is the determination of what is just.
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Section: M2
SSN: 4860
Q1: What kind of community is the state (polis)?
Q2: What are the two relationships that can't exist without each other? What arises from these necessary relationships?
Q3: What method is used by Aristotle for this study?
Q4: How and why does the state come into existence?
Q5: How does Aristotle characterize a man without a state?
Q6: Explain the meaning of the phrase 'the state (polis) exists by nature'. What is the 'argument'?
Q7: Why is man said to be more a political animal than bees?
Q8: Explain the idea that the state is prior to the family.
Q9: What is the relationship between human flourishing and justice?
Date: 09 September 1999
Time: 21:02
A1:
The state is the highest form of a community, and it aims at the highest good for the entire community. States encompass all other organizations and disciplines.
A2:
The relationships are that of male-female and ruler-subject. Sexual relationships are necessary for the survival of the species, and the ruler-subject relationship also preserves the species (without a ruler anarchy ensues and no progress is made). Out of these relationships arises the family, with a patriarchal order - the father (or eldest male) is the ruler, together with the wife/mother he furthers the species and looks out for the children's (future of humanity) best interest.
A3:
Aristotle is using historical analysis (the way things happened) to develop his points. He also quotes from many poets to bring forward generally accepted ideals.
A4:
The state begins to be when several communities made of families join together. They do this in order to more easily supply for their needs and "for the sake of a good life" (p 386). And we live together not just because it is easier, frees up our time, and allows for better chances at happiness, but because nature has designed it to be that way.
A5:
A man without a state is "either a bad man or above humanity" (p 386). He is a bad man because he is revolting against nature. It follows that he is not fit to be labeled human, for he does not partake of human nature. By saying that such a man is also above humanity allows also for the idea that he could be a "superbeing," somehow self-sufficient. This ideal is merely academic, being brought up to show that there are only two possible characterizations for a man who does not live in society.
A6:
Aristotle argues that 1) Nature has given to mankind two roles, namely husband-wife and ruler-subject, and that 2) these roles dictate that men live in families, 3) these families will come together as a state in order to better their chances for flourishing. The state is the direct result of natural human characteristics.
A7:
The difference begins with the power of speech (not only that of voice), which allows us to differentiate between opposites. This lets us communicate what is good or bad, just or unjust, and ultimately to make a true state, and not just a collective.
A8:
The state is made up of families. Using the analogy of a body, the state is the body and its parts are families. A foot or hand is nothing without the rest of the body, likewise one family or individual is much weaker (not self-sufficient) than the whole of society.
A9:
Justice is a prerequisite of human flourishing. Without justice an environment of order is not maintained, and men are left to single-handedly face life. Alone man cannot fulfill his function, there would be no time. Justice allows the state's continued existence, and in a state men may fulfill their telos and achieve eudaimonia.