ARISTOTLE (384-322 BC)

• Aristotle was not the native of Athens, he was born in Stagira near Macedonian borders.
• He was one of the greatest disciple of Plato as well as a critic of him.
• He is known as Father of Political Sciences, The word Science denotes:
1) his practical approach; 2) the importance he gives to the world of matter
(along with the world of ideas).
Aristotle :- “we can't ignore physical worlds by just considering it as an illusion”.

• Aristotle was a pragmatic (Realistic), conservative (Moderate), followed the golden means,
and believed in moderation.

The Golden Mean :

• It was the ethical principle given by Aristotle in his book Ethics.

• It implies that virtue / excellence lies in finding a middle path b/w two extremes which will
otherwise turn out to be vices.

For example, Courage is a Virtue b/w two vices cowardice & rashness.

• Some of the important Books written by Aristotle were :-

POLITICS

THE NICHOMACHEAN ETHICS

METAPHYSICS

THE RHETORIC / THE POETICS

• Aristotle opened his school called Lyceum, it was opened for everyone, because he
thought that distracted people need good teachers to get on the right track.

ARISTOTLE'S - IDEA OF STATE

Aristotle : “Man is by nature a political animal.”

Aristotle : “The One who does not live in a State or who does not need a State is either a
beast, or a god.”
Idea of State

• Both Aristotle and Plato believed that State came into existence for satisfaction of basic
needs of people and it continued for good life of people.

• He regarded the State as a natural organization, which is the result of growth and
evolution.

• However the Sophists in Athens at that time gave more importance to Individual as
compared to State. Therefore, they believed that the State is artificial and product of Social
Contract.

• However, as we know that Aristotle belongs to the tradition of Socrates & Plato, thus for
him State is natural and Prior to human beings because the origin of State lies in natural
needs of human beings.

• According to Aristotle God has not made human beings self-sufficient, they can't fulfil even
his basic needs on his own and hence man create family.

• Family can fulfil some of the needs but not all. So man created villages, it also failed to
fulfil all the needs, hence man created the State and it fulfilled all the needs of the people.
Thus the State is natural as well as self-sufficing.

• According to him, it is the destiny of man to live in the State.

Chronologically man is prior to State, but logically State is Prior to man. He also argued
that a person who is living outside the State is god or beast.

• Thus, by nature man is a social and political animal.

Features of Aristotelian State :

1. State is Natural entity:- Unlike Plato's Ideal State, Aristotle's State was not structured or
manufactured. It is the result of gradual evolution, due to individual's needs, family came into
existence, families led to the formation of villages and villages finally turned into the State.

2. State is Prior to Human Being: Aristotle believed that State is prior to family and the
human beings, as whole is prior to the parts, for example - when the whole body is
destroyed there will be no foot or hand. In other words, human beings expressess all their
traits in the State.

3. State is association of associations: The associations are not as large as the State.The
State has general & common purposes and has larger concerns as compared to any other
associations.

4. He regarded State as an organism and individuals as its body parts. He argued that
as body parts of an organism is useless, when separated form the body. Similarly, when an
individual is separated from State then he has no importance.
5. State is Self-Sufficing: State is self-sufficient institution while family and village is not
because it fulfils all the needs of human beings.

6. The Aristotelian State is Unity in diversity, for him the State is not a uniformity but it is
the one that brings all diversity together.

7. The Aristotelian State is based on rule of law, he gave more importance to law as it is
the result of collective wisdom, he didn't believe in rule of Philosophy or knowledge.

Best Possible State :- Aristotle

• Functions of the State.

1. To ensure a good and happy life for the members of the society

2. To ensure the moral life of the members of the society.

3. State should fulfil all the requirements of the members of the society.

Characteristics of best possible State

1. Economy: State should be stable balancing two extremes, it should neither be too rich
nor too poor.

2. Constitution: Provisions of constitutions should not be too harsh or too soft. It should not
particularly favour a certain class of the people.

3. Population: State should not be highly populated, neither less populated. Quality of the
population should be good. The people should be educated and healthy.

4. Territory & Size: The territory of State should not be too big or too small. The location
should be such that it must help to prevent aggression from enemies.

5. Character of the people: The people should be patriotic and intelligent.

6. Different Classes in the State: There should be artisans, agriculturalists, warriors,

priests and administrators.

7.Education: Good education is essential for the foundation of the State. It will make man
moral and good.

CRITICAL EVALUATION :
Weather State is natural necessity remains a matter of debate amongst political scholars.
e.g. If Idealists believe that State is necessary and source of virtue, liberals believe that
State is a necessary evil and anarchist believe that State is 'unnecessary evil.!