But if the purpose of the individual is to help the polis in achieving the common good, then the opinion of the state will always dominate and the individual must submit to the state. He observes—”all forms of community are like parts of political community”. For all practical purposes the process is now complete., self-sufficiency has been reached and so, while it started as a means of securing life itself, it is now in position to secure the good life”—(Aristotle). Following features can be outlined about Aristotle’s ideal state. Organicism is the philosophical position which states that the universe and its various parts—including human societies—ought to be considered alive and naturally ordered, much like a living organism. Aristotle differs and maintained that the family is the bedrock of the state and crucial society secured as per the law of nature to give man’s every day needs. Elsewhere he has said that common interest is a factor in bringing men together, since the interest of all contributes to the good life of each. This is the organic theory of state. Aristotle (b. Attainment of common good may or may not include private benefit. This article examined the organic theory of state as one of the philosophical theories of state in western intellectual tradition. The morality and virtuousness are the characteristics of man only. On this point he has criticized Plato who advocated communism to do away with all sorts of differences. Determination of goals and the methods of their attainment will also be decided by the state. But the state must also look after the security and general welfare of its citizens. For Aristotle the biologist, the soul is not—as it was in some of Plato’s writings—an exile from a better world ill-housed in a base body. The union of individuals forming the State has been described as similar to the union between the several parts of an animal body, wherein all parts are functionally related and none can exist in isolation from the rest. Aristotle is nurtured in Greek philosophy which always thinks of the community as a whole. Its members are not atomized individuals related to one another only by the fact that they inhabit the same territory. In the analysis of the natural method we find the application of physic and nomos. But, during its different stages of progress, man-made laws and conventions have intervened. Answer to Cynics and Sophists, 271. sketch and Greek History, 274, Patriarchal theory, 274, State, 268. <> It is the legal right of the individual to claim that their rights, liberties and property are to be protected and, at the same time, it is the legal as well as moral duty of the state to fulfil this demand. Aristotle’s Theory of State: Nature, Function, Criticism and Thought! Theorists conceive and define the state in terms of their own science. By advocating that the membership of the polis does not obliterate the separate identity of man and group, Aristotle has acknowledged the plurality of parts composing the state. Several families have formed a village to fulfil the greater demands and necessities. Aristotle believed that the state can be equivalent to nature itself, in his own political theory in which he called Political Naturalism. When he says that the polis is the manifestation of supreme good he wants to assert that it is an institution of supreme authority. It generally comes into being through the processes of nature. Reich was a territorial concept that comprised Raum, Lebensraum, and strategic military shape. In the state the individuals will perform different functions, but these functions are complementary. Again, this is unacceptable. This does not mean that man has no role behind the creation of the state. Clearly then all communities aim at some good, that one which is the supreme and embraces all others will have also as its aim the supreme good. It is true that man is, by nature, a self-interest seeking animal and he does not hesitate to oppose the fulfillment of others’ interests. A modicum of democratic value suggests that the individual should have full freedom to pursue his goals independently. The Organic Theory is a biological conception … Aristotle first arrives at a theory of substance in a work called the Categories. The evolution of man’s consciousness and intelligence has helped the creation of state. This theory suggest that state has evolved as a result of contract between man. Aristotle drew a comparison between the symmetry of the state and symmetry of the body and believed that the individual is an intrinsic part of the society. If certain people assemble together and enter into a pact to materialize commercial interests and mutual protection and for that purpose form an association that cannot be called a state. There is no alternative but subordination. The city-state is a perfectly natural form of association, as the earlier associations from which it sprang were natural. We do not regard individuals or associations as mere appendix parts of the state. But where the laws are not rightly framed, people individually and collectively will rule. Therefore, the membership of polis is essential. The state has several parts. But nowhere has Locke written of ennoblement of the citizens’ life. (Garden City: Anchor, 1965), 187 Google Scholar, speaking of facts which organic theories in general properly emphasize: The State is not identified with any one or with the whole collection of its members but is something over and above them. Aristotelian state cannot tolerate this. The paper analyzes Aristotle’s Theory of the State. Those who do noble deeds are therefore contributing to the quality of the political association.”. 2. No person or organization can take the absolute guardi­anship of all individuals. Aristotle stayed in the academy for about 2 decades. In real life, the state in no capacity can mould or determine the character of individuals in an absolute way. Although Aristotle does not talk about sovereignty in its absolute sense, his analysis indicates that he had developed a fascination about absolute nature of sovereignty. Family includes other components such as slave, ox, and plough. It is natural. He favours impersonal rule of law which represents the wisdom of community since the ages. Now let us analyze the matter from a different angle. It is the highest of all communities and naturally its purpose shall be the highest or supreme. The village, although higher than the family, cannot cope with the growing demands of its members. For Aristotle the nature of everything is not it’s first but its final condition. Aristotle does not stop here. The state imagined by Aristotle is the highest manifestation of morality, ideal, ethics and values, and all these are beyond all sorts of fragmentation. To him, therefore, the source of the origin of state finds place in these natural desires that compel a man to satisfy his economic wants and racial instincts. The state is based on the element of justice 3. Again, it is not an ordinary association. Geopolitics refers to how politics plays a role in geography and influences different geographic attributes such as political borders. . So the individual must be subordinate to the state and not the reverse. The democratic institution of ostracism by which individuals could be banished without being convicted of any formal charge provides a good example of the general Greek view of the legitimate power of the group over the individual. Aristotle proved to be an exemplary scholar and was a close disciple of Plato. The implication of the term political animal is man is reasonable and with the power of reason he can distinguish between good and bad; right and wrong; just and unjust. Not only humans but beasts and plants too have souls, intrinsic principles of animal and vegetable life. Discussion and criticism often proceed by Aristotle’s own method of drawing distinctions: for example between and inclusive and exclusive meaning of panelists; 2 senses of political; 3 ways in which the individual may be subordinate to the state; 4 kinds of organic theory of the state; the relative and intrinsic merits of an absolute ruler; and 2 ways in which constitutions may be opposite. But the whole means a different thing. In the words of Aristotle “the political association which we call a state exists not simply for the purpose of living together, but for the sake of noble actions. Aristotle believed that it was not possible for man to live outside the state. endobj As member of different social organizations he can take their help. Hence, the subordination of the individual to the state is a fait accompli. Laws, framed according to the constitution, are right and just. As a community the state has a purpose, and that purpose is also good. It, of course, comes under secondary functions. But when they are put together the unity will mean a different matter. The state should be the school of citizens. <> If out of ill luck no man can get the membership of polis he will come down to the level of sub-man. , “The Language of Political Theory”, in Logic and Language (First Series), ed. This was the human instinct of sociality which Man is by nature political (social) animal. If the objective of the state is to help the individual to pursue his own personal interest and objectives, then the state is subordinate to the individual. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> It also aims at the highest good of the community for its proper realization of demands and needs in it. According to the analysis of this theory, drawn from the analogy with the human organism, the health of the whole depends on the healthy discharge by each part of its own proper function. Again, individual cannot claim any special treatment. Firstly, the origin of state depends on the triangular nature of the human soul. But its purpose is different from that of other associations. This is possible only if the state takes initiative in making legislation and controlling the entire educational system. Education can be impacted by the institutions set up by the state. First, individual human beings combined in pairs because they could not exist apart. “Imagine A rather short-sighted person told to read an inscription in small letters from some way off….' They develop from single and simple to complex through stepwise progress. It must not be treated as a result on contract or human contrivance. Aristotle’s idea of the fulfillment of necessities of life is not to be detached from the conception of the attainment of ethical values. He likened the head of the state to the spirit that rules the body. In this respect we may say that Aristotle subordinates individuals to the state, if we mean that, in balancing the claims of the individuals and the state, he favours the state more and individuals less. Aristotle … So also ethics and idealism. The state will ensure rights through the use of force. Aristotle believed that the state can be equivalent to nature itself, in his own political theory in which he called Political Naturalism. Since the individual is rational and his interest does not exhaust in performing certain political activities, he wants to attain the above-mentioned values and ideals and only the membership of the state can help him. Family, community and state—all are perfectly natural. The object of institutions should be to train men to goodness, not only to intellectual, but to moral and physical, excellence. Continuing his logic he has said that man is by nature a political animal. The state is not merely an association of associations but it is a highest natural association for pursuits of... 2. The state is the only authority of all the enterprises and the individual has no choice. Thus, the part is not only subordinate to the whole, but cannot exist apart from it. This is possible due to the fact that Aristotle had sufficient knowledge on various branches of science. Aristotle has not elaborately analyzed the different functions of the state. The city or state has priority over the household and over any individual among us. When man reaches the stage of full development he automatically becomes a member of a polis and a separation between man and polis will degenerate the former to the level of beast. It has not been made by certain individuals all on a sudden. Although this was the view of Greek philosophers, the same thing is to be found in the democratic institutions of modern times. It implies that the individual will be able to keep his separate identity intact. Aristotle says that, nature does nothing without purpose, and for the purpose of making man a political animal she has endowed him alone among the animals with the power of reasoned speech and other good qualities. A mere glance over Aristotle’s theory of state drives home an important point that it is organic in nature—which means that the state is a compounded whole. Political Naturalism. The state is more than a contractual society and its function is not to help its members to gain few commercial and economic benefits. This type of subordination of individual to the state—which may also be described as totalitarian, authoritarian or paternalistic—is certainly endorsed by Aristotle. Johnson, Curtis. Nature has inspired and encouraged man to be a part of the state. Along with his teacher Plato, Aristotle is generally regarded as one of the most influential ancient thinkers in a number of philosophical fields, including political theory. It is his Teleological view point which leads him to regard ethics and politics as constituting one science. The paper is divided into several areas to summarize Aristotle’s views on an Ideal State. What are the stages? For example, if the individual thinks that his personal protection must get priority and it is the duty of the state to help him, then the opinion of the individual will get priority over that of the state. Every community has certain purpose and that purpose is good. He has said that we are accustomed to analyze other composite things till they can be subdivided no further, let us in the same way examine the state and its component parts. For complete satisfaction and happiness, the individual seeks the membership of different organizations. Just as the body has a natural unity, so has a social group. (Garden City: Anchor, 1965), 187 Google Scholar, speaking of facts which organic theories in general properly emphasize: The State is not identified with any one or with the whole collection of its members but is something over and above them. .Only in totalitarianism the state is for the individuals and not vice versa. One who can live without state is either a beast or God, he cannot be a man. In ancient Greece there were many such associations but they were not worthy of being called a state. Book 1 of the Politics thus attempts to trace the develop-ment of this "organism" through its more primitive components and stages, beginning with individuals of different natures, developing through the Although, according to sociolo­gists, there is a subtle difference between community and association we shall use the words here in the same sense and also interchangeably. Although man is a part of the whole, he will stand in the same relationship to the whole as other parts. The state is natural not simply because it is the final stage of historical evolution, but because it alone meets all the needs of man, it is alone self-sufficient. When several villages are conglomerated that gives rise to a Polis or State: “The final association formed of several villages is the city or state. ��9���YьQ�B2��g[��D��kuT��m�¾�-%�g:��2�A�r���|�c8�6,0j��p @�5���{�O/�\�?�f�Z"������P)�ɺ����?��C�����e����K���� �d�_���Xˑ|�^(^�I`a�ך�9������ɽNޜ�#(S,���� ��;��K����a� �j2=G��w J �&g0r59��V�@�K�sU ��GB�d�%ixh���g�hz��e���K2�=���8h�U��M{}d�9n Gɺ� 9��6}e��$��tQy6}KQ�^�Us[Jk ��0�3�d,�j�A�y��R��V]�b�y�ݿ�rQ�yӛ��ҒWp �3�L*��`�k��ܜ���3� N����'FfȤ>π��*zB(r�w�*��[. The Aristotle’s Theory of State: Nature, Function, Criticism and Thought Nature of Polis or State:. He thinks that people want to be happy and their happiness is required to be maximum. The reason is unknown to us. stream This thesis examines the 'organic' theory of the state' with reference to Plato, John of Salisbury and Bernard Bosanquet. The paper analyzes Aristotle’s Theory of the State. So begins the quest for "the real nature of justice and injustice" undertaken in response to the challenge of The organic theory, along with the Heartland and Rimland theories, falls under political geography, otherwise known as geopolitics. If this is the nature of Aristotle’s polis, the individual finds no honourable position in the state. Whatever may be the case, the individual’s interest cannot claim special treatment. Therefore formation of the state is not a designed activity but this is th… Aristotle theory of State. From this theory, he inferred that man is both rational and irrational and it is his purpose to follow the former in preference to the latter. Like Plato, Aristotle advocates the organic theory of state by treating man as essentially a social and political being by nature and necessity. PLATO'S ANALOGY OF STATE AND INDIVIDUAL: THE REPUBLIC AND THE ORGANIC THEORY OF THE STATEl JEROME NEU "IMAGINE A rather short-sighted person told to read an inscription in small letters from some way off. The union between male and female constitutes the basis of family. It focused on the classical version associated with Plato and Aristotle and teased out its relevance for understanding the origin and form of the state. Politicality of man enables him to form organisation and also pursue a good life. He has not viewed the state from an ordinary point of view. 3 0 obj The outlook of church or any other religious institution is highly biased. And the process of growth towards it is also described as nature. This is not a matter of choice, but the result of desire implanted by nature and this desire is to be found in all animals. Aristotle’s theory of origin of state, its nature and the end rests on several premises. So, mere formation of associations does not make a state. The purpose of Locke’s contract is to establish a civil society and the primary function of the civil society is the preservation of rights of its members against the infringement by others. According to Aristotle the state is not the product of any contract. Totalitarianism does not recognize differences. In many city-states there was popular sovereignty which could not function properly. When the individuals form a whole they share a joint activity, and, at the same time, lose their separateness. A tyrant may use force against the interest and wishes of the majority. The state in Aristotle’s theory is a reformatory. This is unjust. The third alternative suggested by Aristotle is that few wealthy persons may be allowed to exercise the sovereign power. State is highest of all associations. In that case, only the good will dominates the majority and the latter will be deprived of access to state authority. Flew, A. They could meet only a part of man’s necessities. The application of natural method reveals that the state is natural or exists by nature. From this theory, he inferred that man is both rational and irrational and it is his purpose to follow the former in preference to the latter. The state has a role, but it shares with numerous other communities. Its purpose is to attain virtue. "7 Hence man and woman were drawn together by an instinctive urge towards each other, as the nature of man and woman demanded their meeting. In Aristotle’s definition: “This associa­tion of persons, established according to the law of nature and continuing day after day, is the household.”. He has made distinction between “aggregate” and “whole”. Aristotle does not think that by obliterating the differences the state will be a concrete and complete whole. It is an ethical institution to develop the moral qualities of … I say ‘good’ because in their actions all men do in fact aim at what they think good. It is now quite obvious that both the individuals and the community are integral parts of the polis. We all agree with this contention of Aristotle. Efforts of centuries lie behind the creation of a state. He is simply a machine to help the state. Thirdly, it is not true that the state or polis is the greatest manifestation of supreme good. If the individuals are separated from the state they will lose their importance as the separated parts of human or animal body lose their activity. Like his work in zoology, Aristotle’s political studies combine observation and theory. The individual, although not merged with the state, is completely dependent upon the state for pursuit of his moral and ethical objectives. 4. He likened the head of the state to the spirit that rules the body. From the beginning of the Politics, Aristotle treats the state as if it were an organic entity. This is the evolutionary theory of state. If it fails in this sphere it will be an alliance. This article examined the organic theory of state as one of the philosophical theories of state in western intellectual tradition. Aristotle observes that besides securing life itself, it has also a greater purpose, i.e., to secure a good life. This is the most important function. Translators’ Preface The ‘Theory of the Modern State’ (Lehre vom modernen Stat) by the late Professor Johann Kaspar Bluntschli, of Heidelberg, may be de-scribed as an attempt to do for the European State what Aristotle ac-complished for the Hellenic. Education is the most powerful weapon of making men good or of training them to virtue. Plato died in 347 BC. Why? The good life is indeed the chief end of the state—both corporately and individually. In his zoological works, he also used the term political animal. Here lies the fundamental difference between Locke and Aristotle. In an animal body the parts have no importance away from the whole. 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