Aristotle Analysis

In book 1 of the Politics, Aristotle states that he beginning at the 'beginning ' (1252a24) by exploring the various theories on the construction of the ideal polis, or state. He proceeds to claim that the state is natural, in that it represents the completion of its constituent associations ' journey towards their ends, or telei. He also claims that 'man is by nature a political animal ' (1253a1), and that the koinonia, or political arena, of the state is necessary for man to realise their fullest potential. For Aristotle, 'nature ' is the internal movement of a thing towards a telos; this is in contrast to 'convention ', which is the external imposition of an end upon something. A telos is a primordial purpose or end that makes a thing …show more content…
In declaring that the state is a product of nature, Aristotle provides its foundation and legitimacy; he renders the placement of all its parts – the people and the various roles they fill – comprehensible and rational, while ensuring that these parts have not been made to come together by some outside force. However, this essay will argue that Aristotle 's theory of political naturalism offers a valuable critique of other theories, especially Plato 's theory of Forms. Aristotle also constructs a sound defence of natural teleology and, despite facing serious challenges regarding the role of non-citizens, succeeds in showing that the state is natural and that man is by nature a political animal. I will begin by looking at the components of Aristotle 's theory of political naturalism, with regards to the state and man 's intrinsic place within it. I shall then use Aristotle 's rejection of Plato 's theory of Forms as a means of evaluating the efficacy and success of his own …show more content…
If this becomes known, the role of the constituent parts within the whole become intelligibly natural, as does the movement or journey by which this whole develops and becomes realised. This final stage - in which the purpose or end of the development is actualised - is not chronologically prior, but it is, necessarily, logically prior to the parts of the whole as it is what makes the entire process of development comprehendible. This chain of reasoning can be applied to Aristotle 's conceptualisation of the ideal state. Aristotle 's state satisfies all the requirements - material, social, religious - of man and offers the opportunity not only of living but of living 'well '; for 'neither life itself nor the good life is possible without... the necessities ' (1253b23). Therefore, the state is 'all-providing ', which is 'best ', which is characteristic of natural