Book Summary: Aristotles Philosophy On Politics And Society (Book Report Sample)

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Summary of The Great Political Thinkers Plato to the Present by William Ebenstein and Alan Ebenstein
Aristotle (b. 384 - d. 322 BCE), was a Greek logician, scientist and philosopher, and is most popular for his political and philosophical thoughts about the state, the constitution and morality. In Great Political Thinkers: Plato to the Present, historians William Ebesntein and Alan Ebenstein highlight Aristotle’s philosophy about the nature and functioning of society/the state, and its contribution to modern civilization and democracy.
Aristotle begins his treatises by observing that man is by nature and necessity a social animal, whose existence and survival depends on social organization and communal living with fellow humans. To promote order, cooperation and respect of the rights of others, a form of government is necessary, thus giving rise to the state. According to Aristotle, the challenge is who should play the role of leaders in the state, and what kind of governance should human state adopt. He then noted that he form of governments created depended on the interests of the dominant/ruling class. Aristotle states that oligarchs developed in societies that promoted the interests of the wealthy, while tyranny developed in societies where leaders prioritized the interests of the monarch. Democracy was the government of the people, which thrived in societies that promoted the interest of the common citizens.
Aristotle was also notable in his defence of slavery. He argued that slaver was necessary for the well-functioning of the state. He asserted that “For that some should rule and others be ruled is a thing not only necessary, but expedient” (Ebenstein...