Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle

Thomas Marwa Monchena

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11

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Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle

Thomas Marwa Monchena

Published in International Journal of Philosophy (Volume 10, Issue 3)

Received: 28 April 2022 Accepted: 24 June 2022 Published: 5 July 2022

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Abstract

This article delves into examining how according to Aristotle’s understanding Ethics and Politics, though, considered independent fields of study today, they are closely related as two parts or dimensions of a single inquiry. Our interest in this question of how Aristotle conceived these two fields of inquiry in their relatedness is drawn by our discovery that in his work Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle has given space to the discussion on the subject matter of politics. In Book 1 of Nicomechean Ethics some chapters are dedicated to examining the subject matter of politics, the aims of political science and the role of the political society is conceived to be the cultivation of virtuous life of the citizens. The foundation of this relationship lies on the fact that these two sciences are both practical sciences whose aim is the pursued and attainment of eudemonia, both individually and communally. Ethics and politics have a common method according to Aristotle. The practical truth that is proper to these practical sciences is achieved through the method called dialectic; which Aristotle conceives as an analytical instrument that facilitate by bringing clarity. Even the one who is an “amateur” to Aristotelian philosophy would realize that Aristotle has a conception according to which politics and ethics are related. This is a brief attempt to show the nature of that relationship. While the study of ethics shows the intrinsic requirements (virtues both moral and intellectual) for happiness, the study of politics seeks to show the best constitution (the best political climate) necessary for the cultivation of the life of virtues and consequently, the attainment of happiness.

Published in	International Journal of Philosophy (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11
Page(s)	96-100
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Ethics, Politics, Practical Knowledge, Happiness, Virtue

References

[1]	Hösle, V. (2004). Morals and Politics, trans. by Steven Rendall, University of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, P. 13.
[2]	Kraut R. (2002). Aristotle: Political Philosophy, Oxford University Press, New York, p. 16.
[3]	Aristotle. Posterior Analytics, I. 28, 87a38 - 87b3.
[4]	Aristotle. Topics, Book VI. 6.
[5]	Clayton, E. Aristotle: Politics. Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://iep.utm.edu/aristotle-politics/
[6]	Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics, I. 3.
[7]	Allan, D. J. (1970). The Philosophy of Aristotle, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, New York, p. 125.
[8]	Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics, VI. 5.
[9]	Mckeon, R. (1941). Aristotle’s Conception of Moral and political Philosophy. Ethics, 51 (3), 264.
[10]	URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2988754.
[11]	Coleman, J. (2000). A History of Political Thought: From Ancient Greece to Early Christianity, Blackwell Publishers, p. 135. https://www.scribd.com/document/378034265/History-of-Political-Thought-Janet-Coleman-pdf.
[12]	Aristotle. (1995). Aristotle: Selections, translated, with Introduction, Notes, and Glossary, by Terence Irwin and Gail File, Hackett Publishing Company, Indianapolis, p. 444.
[13]	Coleman, J. (2000). A History of Political Thought: From Ancient Greece to Early Christianity, Blackwell Publishers, p. 146. London 1992. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-22092-2_8.
[14]	Berti, E. (2008). Nouvi studi Aristotelici, III, filosofia practica, Editrice Morcelliana, Brescia, p. 13-14.
[15]	Coleman, J. (2000). A History of Political Thought: From Ancient Greece to Early Christianity, Blackwell Publishers, p. 181. https://www.scribd.com/document/378034265/History-of-Political-Thought-Janet-Coleman-pdf.
[16]	Aristotle. Politics, Book I, 2 (1252b).
[17]	Kraut R. (2002). Aristotle: Political Philosophy, Oxford University Press, New York, p. 4.
[18]	Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics, X. 9. The whole of this section, starting with its opening sentence, is an argument for the fruitlessness of studying ethics in isolation from politics.
[19]	Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics, I. 1.
[20]	Manent, P. (1995). An Intellectual History of Liberalism, translated by Rebecca Balinski, Princeton University Press, New Jersey, p. 13.

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Thomas Marwa Monchena. (2022). Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle. International Journal of Philosophy, 10(3), 96-100. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11

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Thomas Marwa Monchena. Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle. Int. J. Philos. 2022, 10(3), 96-100. doi: 10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11

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Thomas Marwa Monchena. Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle. Int J Philos. 2022;10(3):96-100. doi: 10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11,
  author = {Thomas Marwa Monchena},
  title = {Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle},
  journal = {International Journal of Philosophy},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {96-100},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijp.20221003.11},
  abstract = {This article delves into examining how according to Aristotle’s understanding Ethics and Politics, though, considered independent fields of study today, they are closely related as two parts or dimensions of a single inquiry. Our interest in this question of how Aristotle conceived these two fields of inquiry in their relatedness is drawn by our discovery that in his work Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle has given space to the discussion on the subject matter of politics. In Book 1 of Nicomechean Ethics some chapters are dedicated to examining the subject matter of politics, the aims of political science and the role of the political society is conceived to be the cultivation of virtuous life of the citizens. The foundation of this relationship lies on the fact that these two sciences are both practical sciences whose aim is the pursued and attainment of eudemonia, both individually and communally. Ethics and politics have a common method according to Aristotle. The practical truth that is proper to these practical sciences is achieved through the method called dialectic; which Aristotle conceives as an analytical instrument that facilitate by bringing clarity. Even the one who is an “amateur” to Aristotelian philosophy would realize that Aristotle has a conception according to which politics and ethics are related. This is a brief attempt to show the nature of that relationship. While the study of ethics shows the intrinsic requirements (virtues both moral and intellectual) for happiness, the study of politics seeks to show the best constitution (the best political climate) necessary for the cultivation of the life of virtues and consequently, the attainment of happiness.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle
AU  - Thomas Marwa Monchena
Y1  - 2022/07/05
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11
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T2  - International Journal of Philosophy
JF  - International Journal of Philosophy
JO  - International Journal of Philosophy
SP  - 96
EP  - 100
PB  - Science Publishing Group
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AB  - This article delves into examining how according to Aristotle’s understanding Ethics and Politics, though, considered independent fields of study today, they are closely related as two parts or dimensions of a single inquiry. Our interest in this question of how Aristotle conceived these two fields of inquiry in their relatedness is drawn by our discovery that in his work Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle has given space to the discussion on the subject matter of politics. In Book 1 of Nicomechean Ethics some chapters are dedicated to examining the subject matter of politics, the aims of political science and the role of the political society is conceived to be the cultivation of virtuous life of the citizens. The foundation of this relationship lies on the fact that these two sciences are both practical sciences whose aim is the pursued and attainment of eudemonia, both individually and communally. Ethics and politics have a common method according to Aristotle. The practical truth that is proper to these practical sciences is achieved through the method called dialectic; which Aristotle conceives as an analytical instrument that facilitate by bringing clarity. Even the one who is an “amateur” to Aristotelian philosophy would realize that Aristotle has a conception according to which politics and ethics are related. This is a brief attempt to show the nature of that relationship. While the study of ethics shows the intrinsic requirements (virtues both moral and intellectual) for happiness, the study of politics seeks to show the best constitution (the best political climate) necessary for the cultivation of the life of virtues and consequently, the attainment of happiness.
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Thomas Marwa Monchena

Department of Philosophy, Jordan University College, Morogoro, Tanzania

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APA Style

Thomas Marwa Monchena. (2022). Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle. International Journal of Philosophy, 10(3), 96-100. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11

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Thomas Marwa Monchena. Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle. Int. J. Philos. 2022, 10(3), 96-100. doi: 10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11

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AMA Style

Thomas Marwa Monchena. Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle. Int J Philos. 2022;10(3):96-100. doi: 10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11,
  author = {Thomas Marwa Monchena},
  title = {Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle},
  journal = {International Journal of Philosophy},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {96-100},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijp.20221003.11},
  abstract = {This article delves into examining how according to Aristotle’s understanding Ethics and Politics, though, considered independent fields of study today, they are closely related as two parts or dimensions of a single inquiry. Our interest in this question of how Aristotle conceived these two fields of inquiry in their relatedness is drawn by our discovery that in his work Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle has given space to the discussion on the subject matter of politics. In Book 1 of Nicomechean Ethics some chapters are dedicated to examining the subject matter of politics, the aims of political science and the role of the political society is conceived to be the cultivation of virtuous life of the citizens. The foundation of this relationship lies on the fact that these two sciences are both practical sciences whose aim is the pursued and attainment of eudemonia, both individually and communally. Ethics and politics have a common method according to Aristotle. The practical truth that is proper to these practical sciences is achieved through the method called dialectic; which Aristotle conceives as an analytical instrument that facilitate by bringing clarity. Even the one who is an “amateur” to Aristotelian philosophy would realize that Aristotle has a conception according to which politics and ethics are related. This is a brief attempt to show the nature of that relationship. While the study of ethics shows the intrinsic requirements (virtues both moral and intellectual) for happiness, the study of politics seeks to show the best constitution (the best political climate) necessary for the cultivation of the life of virtues and consequently, the attainment of happiness.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Ethics and Politics: Two Parts of a Single Inquiry in Aristotle
AU  - Thomas Marwa Monchena
Y1  - 2022/07/05
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11
T2  - International Journal of Philosophy
JF  - International Journal of Philosophy
JO  - International Journal of Philosophy
SP  - 96
EP  - 100
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7455
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.11
AB  - This article delves into examining how according to Aristotle’s understanding Ethics and Politics, though, considered independent fields of study today, they are closely related as two parts or dimensions of a single inquiry. Our interest in this question of how Aristotle conceived these two fields of inquiry in their relatedness is drawn by our discovery that in his work Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle has given space to the discussion on the subject matter of politics. In Book 1 of Nicomechean Ethics some chapters are dedicated to examining the subject matter of politics, the aims of political science and the role of the political society is conceived to be the cultivation of virtuous life of the citizens. The foundation of this relationship lies on the fact that these two sciences are both practical sciences whose aim is the pursued and attainment of eudemonia, both individually and communally. Ethics and politics have a common method according to Aristotle. The practical truth that is proper to these practical sciences is achieved through the method called dialectic; which Aristotle conceives as an analytical instrument that facilitate by bringing clarity. Even the one who is an “amateur” to Aristotelian philosophy would realize that Aristotle has a conception according to which politics and ethics are related. This is a brief attempt to show the nature of that relationship. While the study of ethics shows the intrinsic requirements (virtues both moral and intellectual) for happiness, the study of politics seeks to show the best constitution (the best political climate) necessary for the cultivation of the life of virtues and consequently, the attainment of happiness.
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download