Aristotle+summary

Book 3 Chapter 1: What or who is a citizen? Aristotle begins his book with the definition of citizen, because they “compose the state”. He first explains who is NOT a citizen. “A citizen is not a citizen because he lives in a certain place”, which means that resident aliens and slaves are not citizens, even when they live together with citizens. Children (“too young”) and “too old men” are not seen as citizen. Aristotle does not mention the status of women (or did I miss it?), but after reading Book 1 I don’t think they are citizens --> "the male is by nature superior, and the female inferior" (Book 1, ch. 5). So, we can infer that all the other Athenians (male, not too young, not too old, not slaves and Athenians) are citizens. At the very end Aristotle gives the definition: “He who has the power to take part in the deliberative or judicial administration of any state is said by us to be a citizens of that state; and, speaking generally, a state is a body of citizens sufficing for the purposes of life.” The definition given by Aristotle is “best adapted to the citizen of a democracy”.

Chapter 2: How can a person become a citizen and what if a person is but perhaps ought not to be a citizen?

“…But in practice a citizen is defined to be one of whom both the parents are citizens”.

Aristotle questions who is to be considered a citizen. Should it be someone that has parents who are citizens? Does it need to go up two, three, or four generations? Aristotle concludes that the problem is still, "How this third or fourth ancestor came to be a citizen?" Who ought to be citizens? Continuing the reading, Aristotle seems to believe that they must free. Free to deliberate of the correct decisions to be made. These decisions will alter the community and allow them to attain the good life. Aristotle believes that even if there are varying forms of communities, that citizenship is defined by the legal requirements of the society.

Chapter 3: When the form of government changes Chapter 4: Good citizen v good man. When all are good citizens the state is perfect. Not all can be good men. Good citizens have different virtues that together make up the state like the different parts of the body. Furthermore, citizens (with their different abilities) are all working together for a single objective: "the salvation of the community." A good citizen should be able to rule and obey. The only time the virtues of a good citizen and a good man coincide is in a good ruler. A good ruler must be wise. Chapter 5: Who is and is not a citizen. Different types of citizens/different definitions of a citizen under different forms of government. Chapter 6: Forms of government: master over slave, household management, politics. Whose interests is the ruler looking out for? Chapter 7: True forms of government (rulers govern with a view to the common interest) v. perversions (rulers govern with a view to private interests). The true forms of Government: One ruler (kingship or royalty) v. a few (aristocracy) v. many (constitution). Chapter 8: Tyranny, Oligarchy and Democracy. Problems with definitions of Oligarchy and Democracy: is the difference rule by the wealthy or rule by the poor, or is the difference rule by the majority or rule by the minority, or are these the same things.

Chapter 9: The end of the state is the good life. Chapter 10: Who is the supreme power in a state? The unjust consequences of the multitude, the wealthy, the good, the one best man, or the tyrant ruling. Chapter 11: Why the multitude should be the supreme power. Chapter 12: Politics and equality: those who are greater in the relevant qualities should have the greater positions. Chapter 13: Who should rule. Ostracism = getting rid of those who are far superior to everyone else. Practiced by democracies which aim for equality. __Royalty__ Chapter 14: 5 different types of royalty: Lacedaemonian (generalship with power over religion), Barbarian monarchy (legal and hereditary), Dictatorship (elected tyranny--legal but not hereditary), Heroic Monarch (exercised with limited power of voluntary subjects), Kingly Rule (household management of state). Chapter 15: The two extremes of royalty Rule by man or rule by law? Rule by law is inflexible and passionless therefore rule by man is better but it should be a large group not an individual ie. Aristocracy not royalty Chapter 16: Controversies relating to monarchy: limited monarchy/kingship and absolute monarchy, succession, need for advisers or subordinates Chapter 17: What natures are suited for government by a king, and what for an aristocracy, and what for a constitutional government. Chapter 18: Conclusion/Summary
 * Justice**

Book 7 Chapter 1: The best life for individuals and for the state is the life of virtue. Those who are governed in the best manner will be able to lead the best life. Chapter 2: The happiness of the individual is the same as the happiness of the state. Is it better to be a philosopher or a statesman? Despotic governments - don't care about justice. It's unlawful to rule without regard to justice Chapter 3: Not every rule is necessarily a despotic master/slave relationship. Happiness is virtuous activity, and an active life is best for both states and individuals.

Chapter 4: The population should be limited to the minimum number of citizens needed to achieve the good life. A very populous state will be disorderly and impossible to govern well. Chapter 5: The Territory of the State must be large enough for its inhabitants to live leisurely. It must also be self sufficient, well protected yet positioned for trade and agricultural production. Chapter 6: Connection with the sea & maritime power. It is better to be connected to the sea for both protection and trade. A naval force in proportion to the size of the state is also beneficial for protection of the state and its neighbors. Chapter 7: Character of citizens. They should be high-spirited and intelligent. Chapter 8: Property: food, arts, arms, revenue, worship, power of deciding what's for the public interest. Chapter 9: Occupation: mechanics, tradesmen, husbandmen not citizens but are a necessary part of the state two classes: warriors and councillors. Some people may be both at different times. Priests are the old men of both the warrior and councillor classes Chapter 10: Distribution of land: private & public Chapter 11: Situation of city: health, convenient for political administration and war, abundance of springs, some buildings in straight lines others irregular, walls Chapter 12: Locations of common tables and agoras Chapter 13: Happiness & virtue of state & man Chapter 14: All citizens should take turns governing and being governed. What is necessary eg war and what is honourable eg peace. Use what is necessary to achieve what is honourable Chapter 15: Leisure. Temperance, courage, endurance justice.
 * Characteristics of a state**