Aristotelian Ethics and Political Philosophy

 Aristotle‘s approach to philosophy is unique in that it differs from existing philosophies. He sees the world objectively. It is different from intrinsicism and subjectivism. He emphasizes the nature of things which provide an objective value. He is an egoist and opposes altruism, which is helping others, and narcissism, which is to do whatever one wishes. Egoism emphasizes self-interest as the foundation of morality. In ethics, he developed an ethical code, which is character-centered; it isn’t rule-based or collective ethics like deontology, which uses rules to distinguish right from wrong, and utilitarianism, which determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes.  His political philosophy emphasizes aristocracy, ruled by the morally righteous. His political philosophy differs from his predecessors, who supported either tyranny or democracy.

Aristotle believes that ethics is to act based on the knowledge of reason to understand the world. To live well and a good life, you need to understand your nature and develop rational principles that guide your life’s choices and decisions. Value persuasion is to act for good in life, and the purpose is to gain happiness. Ethics in philosophy deals with the question of living a good life. Ethics in Aristotelian philosophy emphasizes value-pursuit. It means the acts and actions one will pursue in life that aim for happiness and a purposeful life. The value of life comes from the activities that accord with reason. Aristotle believes horse happiness comes from doing horsey things in the best way; humans spend a happy life if they use reason to perform rational activities. Reason is the mean and best virtue. The virtue of human beings is excellence in rationality. It is a craft and every line of inquiry, and likewise, every action and decision seems to make good and bring happiness.

Species have relative values based on their nature. Humans share many things with other species in the world. They do need nutrition, food, and water. Humans share sense perception with other species. Humans perceive and sense the world like animals and plants. The only thing that is different in human beings is reason. We can think and make purposeful decisions in our lives.

Rationality helps us to act virtuously. The nature of virtue depends on the value or happiness associated with it. As an egoist, he pursues individual self-interest. It is to wish good for one and do things for one's sake. The purpose of egoism is to live and preserve one’s life. Vice destroys human values. Virtue and vice are up to us. You can’t say I don’t know murder is a bad thing. A man consciously knows the nature of things and acts accordingly. Species have their distinct values. Human nature has a distinctive faculty of reason.

We are political beings by nature. We depend on others for the fulfillment of our needs and wants. Aristotle's political philosophy answers questions about how we live together in peace and harmony. He defines what the purpose of government is. He believes that the ultimate job of a government is to make possible the achievement of human good through restraining anarchy. People come together and work together to achieve self-sufficiency of everyone. A political society delineates constitutions to bring sufficiency and protect from outside threats. The constitution gives laws and rules to govern different affairs of a group of people. Man is a political animal.

Anarchy is the lack of security. A government is necessary to avoid anarchy and help humans to cooperate and benefit one another. He believes in the rule of morally righteous and rational individuals. If there is one moral person in a society, kingship is a preferable form of government. If there are a few morally right people, aristocracy is the correct form of government. If a polity has many moral people, the rule of majority is preferable. Tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy are deviations as the rules seek private advantages.

Justice is also significant in Aristotle’s political philosophy. It is the virtue that renders everyone what they merit or deserve. Aristotle emphasizes the natural justice theory. There are intrinsic facts about every individual, and justice has to account for the individual’s unique differences. Natural justice is the seeking of impartiality. Natural justice means to render according to the natural values of every individual. For instance, women have a rational faculty; they are not authoritative. Justice isn’t struggling to give equality for things opposite in characteristics and nature.

Finally, the rule of law is significant in Aristotle’s political philosophy. He advocates for a rule of law that is a rule and judge based on objective law, not based on ad hoc feelings or whims. He said the authoritative element should be law instead of man. If it is man, he acts based on whims, desires, and ad hoc feelings. He thinks if laws do not rule a polity, there is no constitution and unbridled majoritarian rule and anarchy.

To cap it all, Aristotle’s ethics emphasizes reason as the solo instrument in human life, which is fundamental to living a happy life. Reason is a means to think objectively about life and act in a way that brings well-being and happiness. Political philosophy aims to limit the role of government. The rule is by the morally righteous people. The law is supreme, and individual life is protected and secured by the rule of law.