Aristotles rejection of platos communism

1. There is dissension where there is private property but the problem is human nature and
education not current instituitions
2. Sharing everything actually creates more arguments than private belongisits is. Who gets
to use what
3. In particular, people will argue about equality: should everyone receive the same? Or
should those who expend more effort get more? Or those who are more productive? Or
those with greater needs?
4. Tragedy of the commons: that which is common to the greatest number has the least
care bestowerf on it everybody is more inclined to neglect the duty which he expects
another to fulfill
5. Broad affections are weak: in platos city, love will be watery; how much better it is to
be the real cousin of somebody than to be a son after platos fashion!
6. Communism would deprive us virtues like generosity
7. In a well ordered polis, there would be private property, but more voluntary giving and
sharing. Legislators should focus on creating more virtuous, generous citizens
8. Conservatism: we should be skeptical of radical reforms not already tried. If they are
good, why havent they already been implemented?
The unity of the polis
Platos Socrates ultimately has a misguided conception of unity.
Unity there should be, both of the family and of he polis, but in some respects only
For there is a point
The good city is united by civic friendship directed toward the cirtue and happiness of its
citizens
PART V: THE RULE
Athenian Democracy
Citizens
All freedborn, native born, males of 20 years and over
About 30 000 60 000 of a population of 250 000 to 300 000
The assembly
All citizens eligible to participate no reprepensentaives
Actual participation = 10% to 20% of citizens
Votes on laws, decrees, and treaties
Elects citizens to certain important offices, esp. in military
Pool from which remaining pffices are filled by lot from amongst volunteers at leasat 30
years old a person can only fill such offices once
Alected offices
Esp. generally, treasurers

The courts
Heard legal cases
The council
500 citizens
Rule in the household
1. Natural slaves
- The soul naturally rules the body; man over animals
- Where there is such a difference [in reason] as that between soul and body, or
between men and animals (as is the case of those whose business is to use their
body, . Pol I.5
- Although being ruled is beneficial to the slave, the master does not rule the slave
for the slaves own good, but only for the masters own; slaves are living property
2. Children
- Ruled as immature, but potentially rational beings
3. Women
- Free women are not so destitute of reason as slaves but their reason is inferior to
mens
Rul ein the polis
Those who are free are not suited to being ruled like slaves. Therefore, rule in a just polis
is for common good of the free, not the private good of the rulers
On this picture, to be free is (first and foremost) not to have
Types of political constituition
A constitution is not (for aristotles) a written document, but a form of organization of
political institutions
Rule by
Just rule
Unjust rule
One
Kingshop
Tyranny
The few
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
The multitude
Polity
Democracy

Just rule

Justice and equality

It might seem as if it is only fair if all citizens should have an equal hand in government
But justice is not simple equality. It is equality for equal or proportionality
For example, maybe those who are rich, or who own land, should have a proportionally
larger share of power. Or maybe everyone who bears arms in defense or the polis should
have equal rights
Of course, no one would say that rule should be proportional to some irrelevant
characteristic like height or complexion
Political rights & the good of the polis

To settle what characteristics justify greater political authority, we must consider the end
and good of the polis
If purpose of the polis were to protect wealth or life, then perhaps the rich or the warriors
ought to rule
But the polis exists for the good life, for virtuous noble actions
Therefore, those who contribute most to a virtuous society should have a greter share in
its rule

Philosopher kings and aristocracies

Similar reasoning in republic bk V led plato to say that the wises, most philosophical
person should be king
Or one might take this reasoning to support the conclusion that the class of well born,
well educated people ought to rule
A problem with monarchy and aristocracy: those excluded from rule resent it and become
enemies of the ruling regime
The case for popular government
The many, of whom each individual is.
For each individual among the many
Popular institutions
There is still a danger in allowing [the multitude] to share in the great offices of the
states,
The solution is to assign to them som edeliberateive and judicial functions
For this reason solon and certain
Two versions of this kind of polsition a) only well born and wel educated are eligible for
high office b) elections will puck out the natural aristocracy
Political equality and inequality
If the multitude is wiser and more virtuous than any individual or class, then the citizens
are one anothers political equal sand take turns ruling and being ruled