Instructions: Students are to answer the following questions to the best of their ability, using ONLY the text of the Ethics from this class. Students who only reference parts of the text mentioned in the lecture notes will lose some points, as it will then be impossible to verify that the student actually read the text itself. There are to be NO outside sources on any course assignments unless otherwise noted.
Book IExplain the progression from the family to the village and the city [polis] as forms of association; if “nature makes nothing in vain,” then what purpose, or function, does the village serve that the family cannot and, conversely, what function does the city serve that the village cannot? And, in what sense is man a “political animal”?
Explain Aristotle’s division of the household (husband, wife, children, slaves). What function does each member serve? What justifies the rule of the male head of household over the other members of the household, according to Aristotle, and how is it rooted in his views on nature (i.e., “nature makes nothing in vain”)?
Book IIWhat are Aristotle’s criticisms of Plato’s argument for the “community of women and children” in the Republic? How might too much unity be a problem in the political community?
What are Aristotle’s criticisms of Plato’s argument for communism in the Republic? Why might it be better to allow people to own property privately, according to Aristotle?
Book IIIWhat is Aristotle’s answer to the question of how to define a citizen? What criteria does Aristotle reject for defining who is and is not a citizen, and why? What criteria does he suggest instead? Why would “mechanics and labourers” be excluded by these criteria (Bk. III.5)? Thinking back on his arguments about the household in Book I, do you think Aristotle would consider women and slaves to be citizens? Why, or why not?
Aristotle identifies six main types of government, differentiating between three good forms, and three bad or perverted forms. List and describe these regime types, and explain the different principles upon which they are based. What does Aristotle claim is the real difference between oligarchy and democracy, and how does it diverge from the common understanding of these governments? And, which form of government is the worst of the bad, or perverted, forms of government (See Bk. IV.2).
In Chapter 11, Aristotle says that there is some argument to be made in favor of the people (demos) being given some share in governance. What is his argument?
What does Aristotle mean when he says that justice is equality, not for all, but only for equals (Chapter 12)? In your answer, you should address his comments in chapter 9 (Cahn, pp. 191-192) and his discussion of flute-players in Chapter 12.
Book IVAristotle affords a special place to the middle class in his arguments about regime types, suggesting that a large and powerful middle class is a good thing. What is his argument? Why is the middle class so important to Aristotle?
Book VWhat are the best ways to overcome factional strife and maintain the stability of government, according to Aristotle? What qualities should the holders of high office have in order to best ensure stability?
Book VIIWhat is the best kind of life, according to Aristotle: the political (practical) or philosophic (contemplative)? Why? And, what three goods does one require in order to lead that kind of life?