Posted on 11/25/2008 7:59:40 AM PST by Loud Mime
Aristotle: “… it is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens: upon the same principle, if it is advantageous to place the supreme power in some particular persons, they should be appointed to be only guardians, and the servants of the laws, for the supreme power must be placed somewhere;
CHAPTER XVI
[1287a] We will next consider the absolute monarch that we have just mentioned, who does everything according to his own will: for a king governing under the direction of laws which he is obliged to follow does not of himself create any particular species of government, as we have already said: for in every state whatsoever, either aristocracy or democracy, it is easy to appoint a general for life; and there are many who entrust the administration of affairs to one person only; such is the government at Dyrrachium, and nearly the same at Opus. As for an absolute monarchy as it is called, that is to say, when the whole state is wholly subject to the will of one person, namely the king, it seems to many that it is unnatural that one man should have the entire rule over his fellow-citizens when the state consists of equals: for nature requires that the same right and the same rank should necessarily take place amongst all those who are equal by nature: for as it would be hurtful to the body for those who are of different constitutions to observe the same regimen, either of diet or clothing, so is it with respect to the honours of the state as hurtful, that those who are equal in merit should be unequal in rank; for which reason it is as much a man's duty to submit to command as to assume it, and this also by rotation; for this is law, for order is law; and it is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens: upon the same principle, if it is advantageous to place the supreme power in some particular persons, they should be appointed to be only guardians, and the servants of the laws, for the supreme power must be placed somewhere; but they say, that it is unjust that where all are equal one person should continually enjoy it. But it seems unlikely that man should be able to adjust that which the law cannot determine; it may be replied, that the law having laid down the best rules possible, leaves the adjustment and application of particulars to the discretion of the magistrate; besides, it allows anything to be altered which experience proves may be better established. Moreover, he who would place the supreme power in mind, would place it in God and the laws; but he who entrusts man with it, gives it to a wild beast, for such his appetites sometimes make him; for passion influences those who are in power, even the very best of men: for which reason law is reason without desire.
Aristotle on Liberality
It is evident then that it is best to have property private, but to make the use of it common; but how the citizens are to be brought to it is the particular [1263b] business of the legislator. And also with respect to pleasure, it is unspeakable how advantageous it is, that a man should think he has something which he may call his own; for it is by no means to no purpose, that each person should have an affection for himself, for that is natural, and yet to be a self-lover is justly censured; for we mean by that, not one that simply loves himself, but one that loves himself more than he ought; in like manner we blame a money-lover, and yet both money and self is what all men love. Besides, it is very pleasing to us to oblige and assist our friends and companions, as well as those whom we are connected with by the rights of hospitality; and this cannot be done without the establishment of private property, which cannot take place with those who make a city too much one; besides, they prevent every opportunity of exercising two principal virtues, modesty and liberality. Modesty with respect to the female sex, for this virtue requires you to abstain from her who is another's; liberality, which depends upon private property, for without that no one can appear liberal, or do any generous action; for liberality consists in imparting to others what is our own.
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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!
I found it interesting that Aristotle equates lusting after another man’s wife with lusting after his money. It’s not yours, leave it alone!
Are today’s liberals serial violaters of those two commandments?
So did Moses. 10th Commandment.
You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.
Dog-eared for later reading
“It is evident then that it is best to have property private, but to make the use of it common; but how the citizens are to be brought to it is the particular [1263b] business of the legislator. And also with respect to pleasure, it is unspeakable how advantageous it is, that a man should think he has something which he may call his own”
I like Locke’s or Rand’s ideas on this better ;-) The “it is best” takes a utilitarian rather than a principled view. Locke would cite Natural Law and Rand would ask: “Best, according to what standard?”... not to mention the ‘business of the legislator’ comment :-) And “how advantageous it is”, is straight pragmatism. [Anyone noticing how much Obama is stressing ‘whether it “works” or not’ ... on his recent proposals?’]
Private property is a right, not because anyone says it so, nor because it’s “best” or “advantageous”, but because it is of the nature of a rational and volitional human being to be the beneficiary of his thoughts and actions... whether you think that it is by nature, or of the design of nature by Nature’s God. It was this composition of the Founders that allowed citizens of all religions or of none, to agree to the Founding principles.
Good Points! But in Aristotle’s day there was not much philosphy in print. ;^)
The next thread will be on Machiavelli’s text on liberalism; which fits in well with Obama’s pragmatism and political opportunism.
Thank you. I add my sincere wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving to my FRiends at Free Republic.
ping
And happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and friends too.
And thankfully, there was for Aquinas, Locke, Rand and others.
"The greatest of your philosophers..." John Galt referring to Aristotle.
Awaiting Machiavelli... ;-)
Or in Ebonics: Stick to ya own boo!
How in the heck did you find this old thread?
Good to see you back.
Thanks.
Dad is home now, which means I am on duty or must arrange other services.
I will be going to the party this weekend in Searchlight and Henderson; I’m even working on a costume!
Stick it to ya own, boo ;-) ?
I might have to make that a bumper sticker.
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