Human Nature In Aristotle's Politics

In Aristotle’s Politics, human nature is the driving force behind the formation of community, political practice, government, and moral code. Ability to speak and communicate efficiently sets human apart from the rest of the animal kingdom, paving the way to revealing “the advantageous and the harmful, and hence also the just and unjust.” (1, 2) In other words, the inherent ability to express and give and receive feedback creates the foundation of fundamental ideas and rules upon which cities or countries and their governments are built. Notions of selfishness portray individuals in a negative fashion, but one that unites them through an instinctive tendency to come together “for the sake of living.” (1, 2) Dichotomy between classes poses a …show more content…
(6,2) The implications of human nature above shape the overall idea that our inherent desire to pursue happiness and what is best for ourselves. Following this train of thought, it may be concluded that through history and a Darwinian-like evolution of politics and governments, democracy was born. Winston Churchill’s famous phrase, “Democracy is the worst from of government, except for all the others” sums this notion. Human nature drives us to achieve the best outcome, thus through deliberate and accidental experimentation alike, one form of political system prevails above the rest, and that has landed us as the feet of democratic practice. Even still, many concerns exist within such a system; how is justice and virtue achieved, who even decides exactly what is just and what is not? Today we still find that these questions remain unanswered in some respect. The recent disputes regarding police brutality pose serious and significant concerns about the current practice of upholding justice in our country. For justice to be exactly that, just, it must be wholly indiscriminant and uphold the ethical values upon which the country is founded, freedom and equality for all. This time of great distress along with countless events of similar proportions throughout history are exactly what promotes change in politics and slowly push us closer to a “perfect” society. Although a utopian society may never be attained due to the human tendency to want more and better things, these events are important in that they provide the entire community, both the rulers and the ruled, with a reality check and an update of sorts, on the constantly evolving ideas and opinions of the very individuals that mold society. However displeasing the riots or violent the debates, they are ultimately imperative and beneficial in the long run for the betterment of our political systems. “That the same way of life must