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Aristotle and Absolute Rule*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 May 2015

R. G. Mulgan
R. G. Mulgan*
Affiliation:
University of Otago
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Extract

This article deals with three aspects of Aristotle's account of absolute rule in the Politics: firstly, the extent of Aristotle's debt to and divergence from Plato; secondly, the exact nature of the qualities which fit a man for absolute rule; thirdly, the relevance of Aristotle's account of absolute rule to his general political principles. Ancient historians will be eagerly waiting for the name of Alexander. They will not be altogether disappointed but will have to be content with a few general and inconclusive remarks at the end.

Type
Research Article
Information
Antichthon , Volume 8 , 1974 , pp. 21 - 28
Copyright
Copyright © Australasian Society for Classical Studies 1974

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Footnotes

*

This is a revised version of a paper delivered at the 15th Australasian Universities Language and Literature Association Congress at the University of New South Wales in August 1973.

References

1 Pol. 1284 a 3Google Scholar: cf. 1332 b 16-23.

2 Statesman 293 a.

3 Cf. Ehrenberg, V., Alexander and the Greeks (Oxford, 1938), pp. 71-6.Google Scholar

4 Statesman 295 c-e.

5 Statesman 297 e, 300 b.

6 Pol. 1287 b 35.Google Scholar

7 EN 1137 b 22-4.Google Scholar

8 EN 1131 a 10 ff.Google Scholar

9 EN 1134 a 26-8, b 13-15.Google Scholar

10 I have discussed this point and the view of E. Braun (JÖAI [1957], 157-84) and others that the absolute ruler's qualities merely surpass the sum of those of all other citizens in ‘A note on Aritotle's ruler’, Phronesis 19 (1974), 66-9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

11 Pol. 1288 a 2Google Scholar. Cf. Newman, W. L., The Politics of Aristotle (1887-1902) ad loc.Google Scholar

12 Cf. Balsdon, J.P.V.D., Historia 1 (1950), 370-1.Google Scholar

13 The fragments collected in Jacoby, , FGH 709Google Scholar, do not suggest an author of the highest reliability.

14 Pol. 1259 a 37-b 17, 1278 b 30–1279 a 21.Google Scholar

15 We may recall Aristotle's supposed advice to Alexander to rule the Greeks as a leader but barbarians as a despot, Plutarch, , De Fort. Alex, i 6Google Scholar. Cf. Badian, E., Historial (1958), 432-44.Google Scholar

16 See, especially, Pol. vii 7.

17 E.g. Ehrenberg, op. cit., pp. 72, 83.

18 Sinclair, T. A., A History of Greek Political Thought (London, 1951), p. 220.Google Scholar

19 Cf. Newman, op. cit., Vol i, pp. 275-7.

20 In general this question was very sensibly discussed by Ehrenberg, op. cit., pp. 62-102, who showed that there was as little reason for thinking that Aristotle's theory was inspired by Alexander as there was for thinking that Alexander's practice was inspired by Aristotle. Cf. also Balsdon, art. cit.

21 ‘Hoc Gnaeus noster cum antea numquam turn in hac causa minime cogitavit. Dominatio quaesita ab utroque est, non id actum beata et honesta civitas ut esset.’ (Ad An. viii 11.2)Google Scholar.