Aristotle, Politics
A good citizen follows the constitution; a good person has high moral value
citizens who are property owning (common definition of citizenship in the Western world) -> only people who have property can vote
Owning property becomes one of Aristotle’s conditions for participating in politics
Mentions and assesses hundreds of constitutions across the Greek world
Stability is the good that should shape the decisions of the sovereign.
System that he eventually builds relies on a few assumptions: you can participate in politics if your women and slaves can take care of the other things.
For Plato, education is important because it helps you reach the abstract form of good.
For Aristotle, education leads to excellence. Excellence gives you self-respect, and others respect the skills you bring to society. (similar to today’s idea of college)
Aristocratcs: the most virtuous people in society, moderation, courageous, wisdom to make good decisions
^Moderation: ensure that the stupid people of society don’t influence the politics
Property allows specific virtues to be recognized. A way to defend self-interest