Background
Published in the 4th century BCE, “Politics” by Aristotle is a foundational work in political philosophy that examines the structure and purpose of the state. Aristotle argues that humans are inherently political beings and explores different forms of government, including monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. He emphasizes the role of virtue and education in governance and considers the relationship between the individual and the state. The work also discusses economic structures, the role of slavery, and the concept of citizenship, laying the groundwork for later political thought.
My Thoughts
I find Aristotle to be a master of classification and observation. This narrative was delivered in “books” which seem to be delivered as a series of lectures. Of course, it was so long ago that we aren’t quite sure what form they were in while Aristotle delivered them. Who knows how much was lost in time or through translation. Again, it would be helpful to know Greek since there is so much nuance of meaning that I believe is missing.
I find I want to stop and ask questions as he is going along a train of thought. That it can certainly be frustrating to read. I should spend more time to wrestle with the ideas, but I’m not sure I have that much attention span at the moment.
Recommendation
I enjoyed it but it was hard to follow.