Aristotle is considered to be one of the most influential philosophers in many subjects; one of these subjects being political theory. He has influenced how the framers made the constitution and the content put into the important document. His works and opinions still continue to greatly influence our current government due to the lasting effects of where his beliefs were placed; like in official documents. His contributions to our government are very prominent, but he is often not credited. Even though his ideas did not create an instant effect when he was alive, his beliefs slowly established a spot in the United States.
Aristotle was born in 384 BC in Northern Greece. Although Aristotle’s childhood is a mystery to us, one thing that is …show more content…
Even though Aristotle had claimed democracy to be a despotic form of government, the framers decided to make it the United States a democracy anyway. Although it may seem like they ignored Aristotle’s belief on democracy, the framers highly considered the dangers of having a democracy as a government. This is why they added certain mechanisms into the constitution to avoid tyranny and advocate the rule of law.
Aristotle stated that laws should be full of intelligence, reason and should not be made for personal gain. He also believed that the rule of law should be a well-balanced mixture of human law and the law of nature. Laws should be made to help everyone. He begins to say that the “laws” put into the constitution should be a principle more than a specific law.
Aristotle also makes sure to state that if “the laws have no authority, there is no constitution. The law ought to be supreme over all” (http://www.crf-usa.org). What is meant by this is that there must be upholders to the law, or there is no point in having a constitution. The reasoning for the constitution is to state laws or principles of the United States and if they are not followed or enforced, then it is pointless. The quote is also trying to say that the constitution should be followed by all people in the United States. No one is excluded from following the law no matter what their position in the society
Aristotle was born in 384 BC in Northern Greece. Although Aristotle’s childhood is a mystery to us, one thing that is …show more content…
Even though Aristotle had claimed democracy to be a despotic form of government, the framers decided to make it the United States a democracy anyway. Although it may seem like they ignored Aristotle’s belief on democracy, the framers highly considered the dangers of having a democracy as a government. This is why they added certain mechanisms into the constitution to avoid tyranny and advocate the rule of law.
Aristotle stated that laws should be full of intelligence, reason and should not be made for personal gain. He also believed that the rule of law should be a well-balanced mixture of human law and the law of nature. Laws should be made to help everyone. He begins to say that the “laws” put into the constitution should be a principle more than a specific law.
Aristotle also makes sure to state that if “the laws have no authority, there is no constitution. The law ought to be supreme over all” (http://www.crf-usa.org). What is meant by this is that there must be upholders to the law, or there is no point in having a constitution. The reasoning for the constitution is to state laws or principles of the United States and if they are not followed or enforced, then it is pointless. The quote is also trying to say that the constitution should be followed by all people in the United States. No one is excluded from following the law no matter what their position in the society