ARISTOTLE

 

Do you know who Aristotle was? If you have interest in political science, then you must know Aristotle. He actually credited with coining the term ‘Political Science’ by his thoughts. So let’s know something more about Aristotle who influenced the world from his thoughts.

EARLY LIFE

Aristotle life was as interesting as his thoughts.  He was born at 384 B.C. in Greece at Stagira. His father Nicomachus was a physician of the king of Macedonia. When he was just 17 year, he came to Athens and studied in the Plato’s ‘Academy’. He established a branch of Academy in Asia Minor. Plato impressed from his intelligence and called him ‘brain of Academy’.

 He served as tutor of king Philip’s son Alexander the great in 343 BC. In 335 BC he established his school ‘lyceum’, where he worked for twelve years. After the death of Alexander, Athenians revolted and prosecuted the accused person of whom Aristotle was one of the many. He died on Euboea (Island in Greece) of natural causes in 332 BC at the age of 62. 

FAMOUS BOOKS

He wrote many books not only on political science but also on Economic, Philosophy, zoology, Logic, Art of Speech, Poetry, Psychology, Biology, Music, Ethics etc. Some of the important books are –

• Politics – This is very huge and important book, which is divided into eight section and different topics have been described in each section.

Constitution of Athens – In this book, he described about the constitution of Athens. This book divided into two parts. The first part deals with the different forms of the constitution and second part describes the city’s institution, citizenship, magistrates and the courts.

WHY HE IS CALLED FATHER OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

 

Plato is called father of Political philosophy because his ideas was based on imagination and idealism and was not possible to implement. But Aristotle is called as father of Political Science because his ideas was based on experience and somehow could be implementing.

 

There are some other reasons too that why he is called Father of Political Science –

SEPARATE ETHICS FROM POLITICS – Plato inter linked state and ethics. He keep focused his attention more on ethics than politics.  But Aristotle separated the state and ethics and he created politics as science that’s seen in his thoughts.

 

REALISTIC APPROACH – We can say that Aristotle laid the foundation of a real political science by his practical approach and systematic study of the subject whereas the views of his guru were based on imagination.  Aristotle, despite being influenced by his guru, had realistic ideas.

 

SCIENTIFIC AND LOGICAL THEORIES – Before giving any theory, Aristotle collected and studied all the facts related to it.  He studied the constitution of 158 countries before creation of the ‘Politics’ and that’s why he is called the first scientific thinker.

 

Here are some theories of Aristotle-

Theory of the State– the State is a natural Association of a family or village and it meant to secure all aspects of good life.  So the State is necessary as well as Natural for human being.

 

Theory of Education –   He classified this system in three parts and described the subject for every stage of life.

Classification of the Constitution -

 *Common welfare – where the ruler is devoted to interest of the City-State

**Welfare ignored - where the ruler is devoted to interest of herself.

According to him, the Constitution is necessary for the State as it describes “aim of the State”. Before giving this classification, 158 case studies of various city- state were prepared, which were examined by Aristotle himself.  That’s why his classification was scientific and modern.

Theory of Justice - justice is the most important for the State. It is concerned with the regulation of human relation.

1.   Universal Justice – this theory applies to all citizens of the City-State where Aristotle emphasised on two things:

a)   Development of moral qualities.

b)  Superiority of Human character.

2.   Particular Justice – this theory applies to the individual City-State where virtue and good behaviour with others citizens is given significance.

My view about Aristotle

 

If we look Aristotle’s views then it seems justifiable to call him father of Political science. His ideas were very modern and scientific as of that time. Some of his views were in the disagreement of Pluto’s which shows the individualities of his theories. He was a good Teacher, Thinker, Writer and Motivator also. That’s why he will always be remembered in the Politics.