PSIR Optional

Aristotle short notes psir

  1. Aristotle took “middle path – Golden Path” he considered idea and matter both as real.
  2. He’s also considered as a connecting link between Plato and Marx.
  3. Adopted, method of dialectics as well as method of observation.
  4. Aristotle is considered as scientist in comparison to Plato, not in strict sense.
  5. State is a family of families.
Theories – 
  1. Theory of State – Hierarchy of needs is the proof that Aristotle gives for state to being natural, five statements of Aristotle.
  2. Theory of Citizenship – Citizenship is duty towards state. Children, Old citizen, women, slaves are not covered under theory.
  3. Theory of Slavery – Slavery is of two types – 1. Natural, 2. Desirable. Nature has created two types of persons – 1. Mentally strong, 2. Physically strong.
  4. Theory of Property – 1. Common ownership and common use, 2. Common ownership but individual use, 3. Private ownership and common use.
  5. Theory of Justice – Two aspects of justice – 1. Rectificatory, 2. Distributive. Applications of principles of justice. Absolute equality, Proportionate Equality.
  6. Theory of Constitution – Sequence of types of govt and constitutions – 1. Monarchy/PK, 2. Tyranny, 3. Aristocracy, 4. Oligarchy, 5. Polity, 6. Democracy.
  7. Theory of Revolution – Hence Aristotle is conservative, he explains reasons behind revolution.
  8. Theory of Law – “Law is reason without passion”.
Aristotle’s Polity – 
  1. Where ruling class rules in interest of people.
  2. Citizens participate in law making.
  3. Polity is rule of law, where executive is under rule of law made by adult citizens in direct democracies.
Criticism – 
  1. Immanuel Kant criticised treating any person as an object of utility
  2. Theories by Aristotle becomes basis to justify the myths like “civilising mission” or “Whitman’s burden”.