Man As A Political Animal - 1293 Words

In this paper, I would argue that by describing man as a political animal, Aristotle means human beings by nature are designed to live together in a community such as state(polis) for a common purpose and activity. I will first of all examine the original phrase â€Å"zoÃ… n politikon†, which is conventionally translated from old greek as a â€Å"political animal†. Having established what these words have meant at the time of writing, it would be most appropriate to see how Aristotle himself tries to explain what he means by this expression. And finally I would move on to looking closer at the â€Å"polis† and how through the understanding of its function we can understand what Aristotle means by saying â€Å"that man is by nature a political animal† By looking at the earlier writing of Aristotle, such as the â€Å" History of Animals†, he gives clear classifications of who are animals, including man in this category, and what does it mean to be political, which would prove that my thesis is indeed true. Aristotle begins by saying :†Some are gregarious, some are solitary†¦and some partake of both characters..†. Gregarious animals are kind of social animals that â€Å"†¦ are disposed to combine for social purposes†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . However then Aristotle identifies that â€Å" Man, by the way, presents a mixture of the two characters, the gregarious and the solitary† This justifies that for Aristotle, a man is a part of animal kingdom hence has some natural features that are common to some animals. Indeed, then Aristotle triesShow MoreRelatedThe Nature of Man as Political Animal Essay1723 Words   |  7 PagesAristotles political theory, but it is essential to understand the principals that under line the new political theories. Aristotles politics is one of the most influential books of political philosophy. His main ideology consists in that a man is by nature a political animal because he can reason and communicate with others, therefore, has the potential to alter or change his living conditions for better because he can recognize the difference from right or wrong. Aristotle is proposing that a man withRead MoreCompare Aristotle’s Claim That Man Is a ‘Political Animal’ with Hobbe’s Claim That the State of Nature Is a State of War.1973 Words   |  8 PagesCompare Aristotle’s Claim that Man is a ‘Political Animal’ with Hobbe’s Claim that the State of Nature is a State of War. 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