Aristotelianism

Tony Burns

Aristotle is one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived and arguably the most influential. The Aristotelian tradition has had an enormous impact on the history of Western philosophy and political thought over the last two millennia. Moreover, Aristotelianism is a living tradition. There are political philosophers writing today who believe that Aristotelianism provides a vital resource for those seeking to address contemporary political problems in the age of globalization. The most significant of Aristotle's works for political theorists are his Nicomachean Ethics and his Politics. Of particular interest are Aristotle's view of human nature, his analysis of the concept of justice, and his commitment to the principle of constitutional government and “the rule of law.” At the very beginning of his Politics , Aristotle asserts that man (anthropos) possesses an essential nature. According to Aristotle, man is by nature a “social and political animal” (zoon politikon). What Aristotle telos ...

Users without subscription are not able to see the full content on this title. Please, subscribe or login to access all content on this website.