Aristotle on the Nature of Community

Description

This reading of Aristotle's Politics builds on the insight that the history of political philosophy is a series of configurations of nature and reason. Aristotle's conceptualization of nature is unique because it is not opposed to or subordinated to reason. Adriel M. Trott uses Aristotle's definition of nature as an internal source of movement to argue that he viewed community as something that arises from the activity that forms it rather than being a form imposed on individuals. Using these definitions, Trott develops readings of Aristotle's four arguments for the naturalness of the polis, interprets deliberation and the constitution in Politics as the form and final causes of the polis, and reconsiders Aristotle's treatment of slaves and women. Trott then argues that Aristotle is relevant for contemporary efforts to improve and encourage genuine democratic practices. Cover Aristotle on the Nature of Community Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Introduction The Historical Contest of Nature and Reason The Resources of Aristotle’s Politics Difficulties with Reading Aristotle Interpretative Strategies The Natural Polis 1 The Internal Principle of Change Interpretation of Nature Nature as Archē Kinēseōs Kinēsis in Natural Generation Actuality, Potentiality, and Natural Movement Generation and Privation Metabolē and Kinēsis Conclusion 2 The Four Arguments for the Naturalness of the Polis Beginning Again: The Genetic Argument In the End: The Telic Argument Speaking of: The Argument from Logos Parts and Wholes: The Moriōn Argument Against Totalitarianism and Liberal Individualism Against Totalitarianism Against Liberal Individualism Conclusion 3 Logos and the Political Nature of Anthrōpos Phōnē, Logos, and Political Life Logos and the Aristotelian Self The Priority of Logos Nous and Logos Conclusion 4 The Natural Rational Human and the Natural Rational Polis The Nature of Being Human: Logos Praxis and Energeia Choice, Deliberation, and Nature Choice without Will: What Depends on Us Political Freedom: Deliberating over Ends Ethical Life: Choice of What Depends on Our Efforts Nature, Human Reason, and the Polis The Nature of the Polis The Natural Polis and Language The Natural Polis and Its Internal Source Conclusion 5 Deliberation and Constitution Deliberation as Archē Kinēseōs Citizens and Deliberation Ruling and Being Ruled Ruling and Deliberation Deliberation and the Order of the Community Deliberation Undomesticated Constitution as Formal and Final Cause Constitution as Form The Role of Rulers in Preserving the Constitution Constitution as Final Cause Conclusion: Deliberation and Constitution 6 Natural Slaves and Silent Women: The Case for Political Rule as Deliberation The Extremity of Natural Slavery in the Politics Deliberation and Nature The Inhumanity of Despotic Rule Political Rule, Taking Turns, and the Role of Women Conclusions for Political Life Conclusion Practical Implications Arab Spring and the Occupy Movement Deliberation and the Constitution Bibliography Primary Texts Scholarly Literature Source Index Index