Plato, Aristotle, and the Purpose of Politics

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ancient, Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism
Cover of the book Plato, Aristotle, and the Purpose of Politics by Kevin M. Cherry, Cambridge University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Kevin M. Cherry ISBN: 9781139334518
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: April 30, 2012
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author: Kevin M. Cherry
ISBN: 9781139334518
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: April 30, 2012
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

In this book, Kevin M. Cherry compares the views of Plato and Aristotle about the practice, study and, above all, the purpose of politics. The first scholar to place Aristotle's Politics in sustained dialogue with Plato's Statesman, Cherry argues that Aristotle rejects the view of politics advanced by Plato's Eleatic Stranger, contrasting them on topics such as the proper categorization of regimes, the usefulness and limitations of the rule of law, and the proper understanding of phronēsis. The various differences between their respective political philosophies, however, reflect a more fundamental difference in how they view the relationship of human beings to the natural world around them. Reading the Politics in light of the Statesman sheds new light on Aristotle's political theory and provides a better understanding of Aristotle's criticism of Socrates. Most importantly, it highlights an enduring and important question: should politics have as its primary purpose the preservation of life, or should it pursue the higher good of living well?

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this book, Kevin M. Cherry compares the views of Plato and Aristotle about the practice, study and, above all, the purpose of politics. The first scholar to place Aristotle's Politics in sustained dialogue with Plato's Statesman, Cherry argues that Aristotle rejects the view of politics advanced by Plato's Eleatic Stranger, contrasting them on topics such as the proper categorization of regimes, the usefulness and limitations of the rule of law, and the proper understanding of phronēsis. The various differences between their respective political philosophies, however, reflect a more fundamental difference in how they view the relationship of human beings to the natural world around them. Reading the Politics in light of the Statesman sheds new light on Aristotle's political theory and provides a better understanding of Aristotle's criticism of Socrates. Most importantly, it highlights an enduring and important question: should politics have as its primary purpose the preservation of life, or should it pursue the higher good of living well?

More books from Cambridge University Press

Cover of the book Opposing the Rule of Law by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book River Discharge to the Coastal Ocean by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book The Textualization of the Greek Alphabet by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book Climate Change, Ecology and Systematics by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book The Political Sociology of Human Rights by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book An Introduction to Australian Public Policy by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book The Cambridge World History of Slavery: Volume 1, The Ancient Mediterranean World by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book Africans by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book Measures, Integrals and Martingales by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book The Cambridge Handbook of Sociology: Volume 2 by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book Economics of Agglomeration by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book Thinking with Rousseau by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book Principles of Photonics by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book Social Work by Kevin M. Cherry
Cover of the book Who Donates in Campaigns? by Kevin M. Cherry
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy