Aristotle, historically significant for his impacts on today’s scientific method and schooling, outlines the groundwork of an ideal government in Politics (Editors). He directly clarifies, “Our purpose is to consider what form of political community is best for those who are most able to realize their ideal life,” (Aristotle 23) which indirectly suggests a hierarchy of value in society, which he elaborates upon. In order to defend this stance, Aristotle employs juxtaposition and allusions to other governments as a measure to continue his political teachings in his school. Aristotle attempts to establish the rudiments of family within a society to support the last part of his claim: “Now we should begin by examining everything in its fewest possible elements; and the first and fewest possible parts if a family are master and slave, husband and wife, father and children” (Aristotle 4). He uses these contrasting positions—being societal rank, gender role, and age respectively—to defend his argument that some people are more “able to realize their ideal life” and can therefore receive a higher representation in government. Through the obvious lack of altruism in this argument, Aristotle employs juxtaposition to weigh one class significantly higher than the other, all in his pursuit of his utopia. Furthermore, while considering the effectiveness of a governmental constitution, Aristotle alludes to an effective application in Sparta: “[Desire to maintain a permanent constitution] is the case in Sparta, where the kings desire its permanence because they have due honour in their own persons; the nobles because they are represented in the council of elders … and the people, because all are eligible to the Ephoralty” (Aristotle 46). In referencing this successful characteristic of a well-functioning society, Aristotle progresses in his own search for the perfect political society. After determining how the constitution in Sparta was applied with an effective framework, Aristotle strengthens his argument that a constitution should be included in government for support amongst classes. Attributable to his application of allusions, Aristotle had a brief attempt at an ideal government. However, because his juxtaposition of societal roles severely disregards the importance of equality, Aristotle’s analysis of an ideal government is not suitable for a modern audience, and hence, his ideology must be wholly rejected.
Works Cited
Aristotle. Politics. New York, NY, Barnes &Amp; Noble, Inc., 2005.
Editors, Biography.com. “Aristotle Biography.” The Biography.com Website, A&E Television Networks, 7 Nov. 2016, www.biography.com/people/aristotle-9188415#synopsis.
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