Great Ideas of Philosophy

C. Aristotle is recovering the Homeric idea that a flourishing life presupposes a political form of affiliation, arich and familial form of life entered into by those who are prepared to live together at the level ofprinciple and in friendly relationships, which themselves presuppose a commitment to virtue.D. In the end, virtuous actions are those performed consciously by virtuous persons, but people of virtue forma minority. Those fit for virtuous or perfected friendship are also fit for rule.1. Mob rule is the rule of passion and can tyrannize over the virtuous, because the tastes of the mob aregenerally grounded in considerations of pleasure and utility.2. We find in Aristotle, although not to the same extent that we found in Plato, a certain suspicion aboutradical forms of democratic rule, a recognition that the kaloi kagathoi must be the leaders.3. Perhaps the best mode of political life is a constitutional monarchy, where the rule of law isdeterminative, but where those who are in charge of administering that law function as friends.Recommended Reading:Aristotle. Nichomachean Ethics and Eudemian Ethics in The Complete Works of Aristotle, 2 vols., J. Barnes, ed.Princeton, 1984.Rorty, A., ed. Essays in Aristotle’s Ethics. California,1980.Questions to Consider:1. In Aristotle’s scheme of classification, describe how you would characterize your own friendships.2. Conclude whether the law functions now with that characterof “friendliness” such that it secures the fidelity of those living under it.3. Explain the form and degree of equality that you take to be essential to lasting friendship.4©2004 The Teaching Company Limited Partnership