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• Plato's Republic
• Plato

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The Political Thought of Plato and Aristotle

by E. Barker. 560 pgs.

Contributors:

   E. Barker

Publisher:

   Dover

Place of Publication:

  New York  

Publication Year:

  1959

Subjects:

Plato--Republic, Aristotle--Politics, Political Science--Greece--History

	CONTENTS
	INTRODUCTION
	Origin of political thought in Greece , . The Greek idea of the State , . Constitutional changes and political thought , . Variety of types leading to discussion , . Greek political thought connected with Ethics , . Consequent peculiarities of Greek thought , . πολιτική a practical science , . Political Science a Science or an Art? . Distinction of State and Society , . Athens and Sparta , . Connection of philosophy and practice , .	1
	CHAPTER I
	PROVERBIAL THOUGHT AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE
	§ 1. Proverbial Philosophy , . § 2. Pythagoreanism , . Pythagoreans in politics , . Heraclitus , . Natural analogies in political thought at Athens , .	17
	THE STATE OF NATURE AND THE SOCIAL CONTRACT
	§ 3. Disturbance of ancient custom , . Anthropology , . The Sophists , . Protagoras and Gorgias , . Man the maker , . Meaning of "Nature" in the sphere of morality , . Might is Right , . Social Contract , . Superiority of a State of Nature , . General iconoclasm , . The Sophists and the Encyclopædists , . Political Pamphlets , . Ideal Constitutions , .	28
	SOCRATES AND HIS LESSER FOLLOWERS
	§ 4. Know Thyself , . Socrates a prophet , . Scientific Thinking , . Aristocratic tendency of Socrates' politics , . Socrates a Conservative , . And yet a Radical , . Over-intellectualism of Socrates' views , . § 5. Xenophon's Cyropædia , . Cynic cosmopolitanism , . The Cyrenaics , .	46
	CHAPTER II
	THE LIFE OF PLATO
	§ 1. Plato and Socrates , . Plato a practical Reformer , .	61
	THE METHOD OF PLATO
	§ 2. The use of the dialogue , . Criticism of common opinion , . Use of analogy , . Dangers of analogy , .	64
	THE EARLIER DIALOGUES OF PLATO
	§ 3. The Apology: a defence of resistance , . The Crito: an explanation of obedience , . Virtue is knowledge, and therefore teachable , . The Meno , . The Protagoras: the Sophist's view , . Socrates' refutation of Protagoras , . The Euthydemus on political art , . The Gorgias: concerning shams , . Sham statesmanship , .	68
	CHAPTER III
	THE PLAN AND MOTIVES OF THE REPUBLIC
	§ 1. Plan of the Republic , . Division of the Republic , . The Republic and Economics , . § 2. The Republic directed against the Sophists , . Attack on contemporary politics , . Political ignorance , . Political selfishness , . Connection of Sophistic teaching and contemporary politics , .	81
	Plato's remedy , .	92
	THE PRIMA FACIE THEORY OF JUSTICE
	§ 3. Thrasymachus' definition of Justice , . Plato's formal reply , . Glaucon's conception of Justice , . Objections to Glaucon's conception , . Plato's methods of answering Glaucon , .	95
	PLATO'S CONSTRUCTION OF THE STATE AND DISCOVERY OF TRUE JUSTICE
	§ 4. Parallel of man and the State , . Plato's psychology , . Psychological construction of a State , . (i.) Appetitive or economic element , . (ii.) Spirited or military element , . (iii.) Rational or governing element , . Character of the Government , . Three-class system , . Criticism of class-system , . Advantages of division , . Justice discovered in the State , . Value of Plato's conception of Justice , .	102
	PLATO'S THEORY OF EDUCATION
	§ 5. A new education propounded , . Contemporary Greek education , . Plato's use of existing materials , . Psychological basis of his scheme , . Education in its various stages , . Instruments of education , . Education culminates in the Idea of the Good , . The State and its rulers in relation to the Idea of the Good , . Art as an instrument of education , . Moral reform of Art , . The morality of Art , . Province of the State in respect of Art , . The education of reason , . Relation of the trained ruler to the State , .	119
	COMMUNISM
	§ 6. Relation of Platonic Communism to Education , . Communism necessary to the rule of reason , . (i.) Communism of property: its scope and character , . (ii.) Communism of wives , . Plato's dislike of the household , . The emancipation of women , . Plato's scheme of marriage , . § 7. Low view of marriage , . Plato's asceticism , . Reactionary spirit of the Republic , . Relation of communism to personality , . Plato destroys the basis of personality , . Organic Theory of the State , . Limitations of that theory , . The Republic as an ideal , . Plato and the tyranny of reason , .	138
	CHAPTER IV
	THE ABSOLUTE MONARCH
	§ 1. The Republic and absolute monarchy , . The aim of the Politicus , . Knowledge the criterion of the Statesman , . The Statesman and the Law , . The Monarch as making for harmony , . Monarchy a flexible government , .	164
	PLATO'S CLASSIFICATION OF STATES
	§ 2. Value of the Republic as an ideal standard , . Previous attempts at classification , . Platonic Classification , .	172
	CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE
	§ 3. Plato's sketch of changes not historical , . The practical purpose of the sketch , . The successive changes , . Plato's view of democracy , .	176
	THE LAW STATE AND THE MIXED CONSTITUTION
	§ 4. New Atmosphere of the Laws , . The Laws and Aristotle's Politics , . The Laws in relation to the Republic , . The State based on will , . Conception of law as the expression of rational will , . Plato's opinion of contemporary constitutions , . Historical sketch of the growth of the State , . Necessity of a mixed constitution , . Mixture of monarchy and democracy , . § 5. Foundation of a colony , . Government of the colony , . Economic structure of the colony , . Aristotle's criticism of the State of the Laws , . Defects of the State of the Laws , . Education in the Laws , . Theory of punishment , . Epilogue to the Laws , .	183
	CHAPTER V
	THE SOURCES OF THE POLITICS
	§ 1. Aristotle's relation to his predecessors , . Respect for popular opinion , . Extent of his political information , .	208
	THE LIFE OF ARISTOTLE
	§ 2. Aristotle's early life , . Aristotle in Macedonia , . Aristotle and Athens , .	213
	THE TELEOLOGY OF ARISTOTLE
	§ 3. Aristotle's conception of Form , . Teleological view of the world , . Conception of Nature , . Relation of Nature and Art , . The end as the cause of development , . The end as giving an organic conception of the State , . Criticism of the teleological method , . The kingdom of ends , . The end as criterion of classification and standard of distribution , . The end as limit , . The mean , .	218
	ARISTOTLE'S CONCEPTION OF THE UNITY OF THE STATE
	§ 4. Aristotle's conception of Unity , . The nature of an association , . Criticism of Plato , . The State as a Compound , . Inner Unity of the State: Justice and Friendship , .	231
	ETHICS AND POLITICS.
	§ 5. Division of Sciences , . Aristotle's conception of Political Science , . Political Science the master science , . Stages of moral growth , . The end of Life , . Scope of Political Science , . Connection of politics and ethics , . Extent to which politics and ethics can be connected , . Relation of Aristotle's Politics to his Ethics , . Ethics static: Politics dynamic , . Difficulties and discrepancies , .	237
	FORM AND TEXT OF THE POLITICS
	§ 6. Aristotle's method , . A constant discussion of current opinion , . Analysis , . Politics lecture-notes , . Reasons for this view , . Publication of the Politics , . Division into books , . Order of the books , . Politics unfinished , . Plan of the Politics , .	251
	CHAPTER VI
	THE ORIGIN OF THE STATE
	§ 1. Beginning of the Politics , . Natural origin of the State in human wants , . Growth of the household , . The village , . Development of the State , . The State a wider self , . The State natural , . The State based on reason , . Answer to Cynics and Sophists , . Aristotle's sketch and Greek History , . Patriarchal theory , .	264
	THE ORGANIC CHARACTER OF THE STATE
	§ 2. Use of term "organic" in Aristotle , . The State organic as an association , . State prior to individual because organic , . Other instances of an organic conception , . Limitations of an organic theory , .	276
	THE END OF THE STATE
	§ 3. The State's end a moral life , . The nature of happiness , . Need of material good things for happiness , . (i.) Moral life of State same as that of an individual, but with a distinction , . (ii.) Happiness of State same as that of an individual , . Should a State seek happiness in a life of action, or one of peace? . The practical and the philosophic life for the individual , . Identification of State and individual , .	281
	CHAPTER VII
	THE UNITS OF THE COMPOUND
	§ 1. The State as a compound , . Nature of citizenship , . Citizenship primary , . Narrow circle of citizens , . Modern citizenship less intense, though more extensive , . Citizen and "subject," . Creation of citizens , .	293
	THE SCHEME OF COMPOSITION
	§ 2. The identity of the State resides in the constitution , . Nature of the constitution a vital thing , . The constitution as determining the end of the State , . Constitution and government , .	301
	THE CLASSIFICATION OF STATES
	§ 3. Standards of classification -- end of State, and spirit of government , . Two main types of constitutions: their subdivision , . Standard of subdivision -- social class , . Classification in later books of the Politics , . Classification according to distribution of functions , . Modern value of Aristotle's scheme , . Aristotle and Plato , .	307
	CHAPTER VIII
	NATURE AND SPHERE OF LAW
	§ 1. Law catholic and positive , . Law and the legislator , . Law as a spiritual force , . Stability of Law , . Law natural , . Conventional element in Law , . Law and the "god among men," . Prerogative versus constitutionalism , . Discussion of Platonic monarchy , . The parallel from the arts , . Law sovereign; but who shall supplement Law? . Final answer of Aristotle , .	321
	JUSTICE
	§ 2. I. Justice as complete virtue , . II. Particular Justice , . Peculiarities of Aristotle's conception of Particular Justice , . (a) Corrective Justice , . (b) Theory of Distributive Justice , . Differences of democratic and oligarchic conceptions of Distributive Justice , . Distributive Justice as rewarding capacity , . Various qualifications for office , . Qualifications of the Few , . Claims of the Many , . Aristotle's recognition of the claims of the Many , . Liberty in Aristotle , . Equality in Aristotle , .	337
	CHAPTER IX
	THE SPHERE OF ECONOMICS
	§ 1. Meaning of οἰκονομική , . Divisions of Economics , .	357
	THE THEORY OF SLAVERY
	ARISTOTLE'S THEORY OF WEALTH AND ITS PRODUCTION
	§ 3. Definition of wealth , . Wealth limited in amount , . Two methods of acquiring wealth , . Reactionary character of Aristotle's economics , . The rise of unnatural acquisition , . The introduction of money, 378. Value of money -- conventional or natural? . The middleman condemned , . The middleman performs an economic service , . The ethics of commerce , . Interest condemned by Aristotle , . How far Aristotle's condemnation of interest was justified , . Influence of Aristotle's theory of commerce and interest in the Middle Ages , . Nicholas Oresme, 388. False "asceticism" of Aristotle's economics , .	373
	ARISTOTLE'S THEORY OF DISTRIBUTION
	§ 4. Aristotle objects to common ownership of land , . Grounds of his objection , . Moral justification of private property , . True communism spiritual, not material , . Justice of Aristotle's criticism of Plato , .	391
	THE DEFENCE OF THE FAMILY
	§ 5. Aristotle defends the family against Plato , . Moral justification of the family , . The State as an association of families , .	397
	§ 6. Aristotle's criticism of Platonic striving for Unity , . Validity of Aristotle's criticism , . True nature of the State's unity , .	401
	CHAPTER X
	THE EXTERNAL FEATURES OF THE IDEAL STATE
	§ 1. The population: its quantity , . The limited size of Aristotle's ideal State and its reasons , . The quality of the population , . Agricultural class one of slaves , . The territory of the ideal State , . The city , . Should the city be situated by the sea? . The construction of the city , . Division of the territory , .	406
	THE ORGANISATION OF THE IDEAL STATE
	§ 2. The parts of the State , . The allocation of the functions of government , . Moderate and almost democratic character of Aristotle's ideal State , .	417
	ARISTOTLE'S THEORY OF EDUCATION
	§ 3. Aristotle's general view of education , . Contrast with modern views , . Psychological basis of Aristotle's scheme of education , . The State as the one educational authority , . Aim of education the supremacy of reason , . Regulation of marriage , . Early years , . Contemporary curriculum , . Aristotle's theory of gymnastics , . Cultivation of the Mean in gymnastics , . Physical training to-day , . Purpose of education in the Arts , . The value of musical instruction , . (a) Music as a means of relaxation , . (b) Music as an employment of leisure , . (c) Music as an agent of moral instruction , . Music produces the clearest image of virtue , . (d) Music as a means of purification , . Aristotle's scheme of education and that of Plato , .	423
	CHAPTER XI
	THE SCOPE OF ARISTOTLE'S PLAN
	§ 1. Scope of Political Science , . Constitutional changes , . Oligarchy and democracy the two main types , .	444
	GREEK DEMOCRACY AND GREEK OLIGARCHY
	§ 2. Causes of different species of democracies , . Main varieties of democracy: (a) Democracy of farmers , . Farmer democracy and the ancestral constitution , . (b) and (c) Middle forms of democracy , . (d) Extreme democracy; its origin and character , . Means of preserving extreme democracy , . Extreme democracy at Athens , . Views of democracy entertained by Thucydides, Plato, and Aristotle , . Comparison of Aristotle's views of democracy with modern views , . Modern democracy combined with representative institutions , . Need of a strong executive in modern democracies , . Ancient democracy not aristocratic , . Real differentia of ancient democracy; centralisation of all power in one primary assembly ,	446
	§ 3. Varieties of oligarchy , . Two main forms of oligarchy , . Estimate of the meaning of Greek oligarchy , . Deterioration of oligarchy in the fourth century ,	466
	THE MIXED CONSTITUTION
	§ 4. The need of a non-sectional government , . Doctrine of the Mean , . The "mean" State not the ideal State , . Rule of the middle class , . Why the middle class was ineffective in Greek politics , . "Polity" a mixed constitution , . Instances of mixed constitutions , . Previous history of the conception of a mixed constitution , . The mixed constitution in later Greek theory , . Montesquieu's theory of a division of powers , . The mixed constitution in regard to the classification of States ,	471
	THE THEORY OF SEDITION AND ITS CURES
	§ 5. Causes of στάσις , . Economics and politics , . Methods of preserving constitutions , . Tyranny -- its rise and character , . Preservation of tyranny ,	486
	EPILOGUE
	THE LATER HISTORY OF THE POLITICS
	§ 1. The death of the City-State , . Stoic cosmopolitanism , . Political theory of the Mediæval Church , .	497
	§ 2. Adoption of Aristotle by the Mediæval Church , . Preparation for Aristotle , . Reception of Aristotle , . St. Thomas Aquinas , . The school of Aquinas , . Dante , . Marsilio of Padua , . Machiavelli ,	500
	§ 3. The revolt against Aristotelianism , . Spinoza and Hobbes , . Political science legal and non-ethical ,	516
	§ 4. Renovatio imperii Aristotelici -- Rousseau and Hegel ,	520
	APPENDIX A
	A newspaper entitled Observations on Aristotle's Politics ,	523
	APPENDIX B
	The later history of the Republic ,	525

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