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Book No. – 52 (Political Science)
Book Name – Political Philosophy (Richard G. Stevens)
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LANGUAGE
Moderation
Political Philosophy
Chapter – 6
- The city in speech in Plato’s Republic is the best city imaginable, created through abstractions and analogies.
- The goal is not to pursue this ideal city but to rectify the abstractions, bringing in the needs of the body (economics), and addressing forces like eros (desire) and thumos (spiritedness).
- The task of statesmanship is to use prudence to adjust the ideal pattern to the reality of human beings, striving for a law-abiding and stable city that brings justice.
- The modern belief that justice equals equality is a misconception.
- Economics or household management is tied to politics but needs to be abstracted to understand political theory.
- Aristotle sees that politics cannot be reduced to a perfect rule by reason but must involve practical judgment for the best city.
- Platonic communism in the Republic (e.g., marriage, procreation) is seen as destructive because it undermines the family, which is vital for well-being.
- The family can be divisive but also contributes to social stability and affection, balancing this is a challenge for statesmanship.
- The city is not made of three neat classes, but there are three broad elements: rational, spirited, and appetitive parts.
- The good city maintains balance among these parts, a difficult but crucial task for statesmanship.
- The popular modern idea that politics can simply be reduced to the rich vs. the poor is erroneous.
- Politics should not be viewed solely through an economic lens; Aristotle clarifies that politics and economics must be considered separately.
- In Aristotle’s Politics, criticism of Plato’s communism shows its impracticality when applied in real life.
- Aristotle warns against trying to implement Plato’s ideal city in practice, which could be disastrous.
- Plato’s dialectic can be intoxicating, especially for young intellectuals, and Aristotle seeks to sober them by showing the practical limitations of Plato’s ideas.
- Aristotle critiques Plato’s work to warn against pursuing the ideal city and to encourage responsible political thought.
- The city is not the enemy of philosophers; instead, it is a precondition for philosophy to exist.
- Philosophers understand that while politics often sees them as enemies, the city enables philosophy to thrive.
- Aristotle’s critique of Plato serves as a cautionary note for those who might be too idealistic in their political thinking.
- Aristotle recognizes Plato’s power as a mind and the creative genius of classical antiquity.
- Machiavelli is described as the creative genius of modern political philosophy.
- Friedrich Nietzsche is considered the creative genius of postmodernism.