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Western Political
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Western Political
In the landscape of Western political thought, the interplay of virtue/ethics, common
good, justice/law, citizenship/the individual, and power/authority form a complex web that both
ancient and medieval philosophers have explored. The works of Euripides, Thucydides, Plato,
Aristotle, and Aquinas offer profound insights into these concepts, revealing tensions and
harmonies that resonate in contemporary political debates.
Virtue/Ethics and Common Good
Plato, in his “Republic,” particularly through the ‘Allegory of the Cave,’ emphasizes the
importance of education and enlightenment in achieving virtue and, subsequently, the common
good. He suggests that only by turning the soul from the shadows of ignorance towards the light
of knowledge can one attain true understanding and live a virtuous life (Plato, 2019). Aristotle,
on the other hand, in his “Nicomachean Ethics,” posits that virtue is the mean between two vices,
and it is through living a life of virtuous activity in accordance with reason that one achieves
eudaimonia, or the highest good for humans (Aristoteles, 2007).
Justice/Law and Power/Authority
Aristotle further explores the concept of justice in “Politics,” where he classifies different
regimes based on who holds power and for whose benefit it is exercised. He argues that the best
form of government is one where rulers govern with the common good in mind, contrasting with
tyranny, where power is used for the personal benefit of the rulers (Aristoteles & Lord, 2013).
Aquinas, integrating Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, sees law as an ordinance of
reason for the common good, made by the person who has care of the community, and
promulgated (Aquinas, 1981).
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Citizenship/the Individual
Thucydides, through the “Melian Dialogue” in his “History of the Peloponnesian War,”
presents a stark examination of power and the rights of states versus individuals, suggesting that
justice is a concept only relevant among equals in power, whereas the strong do what they can
and the weak suffer what they must (Taylor, 2019). This contrasts with Plato’s ideal society in
“The Republic,” where each individual plays a role aligned with their natural aptitudes,
contributing to the harmony and efficiency of the state (Plato, 2019)
Plato’s ‘Allegory of the Cave’ and Aristotle’s Classification of Different Regimes
Plato’s ‘Allegory of the Cave’ serves as a metaphor for the journey from ignorance to
enlightenment, emphasizing the philosopher’s role in society as one who has seen the truth and
attempts to lead others toward it. This allegory can be juxtaposed with Aristotle’s classification
of regimes to illustrate that a society governed by enlightened individuals (philosopher-kings in
Plato’s ideal polity) aims for the common good, unlike degenerate forms of government (tyranny,
oligarchy, and democracy in their perverted forms) where the pursuit of private interests leads to
injustice and the degradation of communal life.
The tension between individual sacrifices for the political community and the pursuit of
personal good is a recurring theme across these philosophical works. The idea that a balance
between personal virtue and commitment to the common good is necessary for the flourishing of
both the individual and the polity echoes in the modern discourse on democracy, civil society,
and governance. These ancient and medieval insights highlight the enduring challenge of
reconciling individual aspirations with communal responsibilities, a dilemma central to the
ongoing evolution of democratic ideals.
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References
Aquinas, T. (1981). Summa Theologica. Christian Classics.
Aristoteles, & Lord, C. (2013). Aristotle’s politics. Univ. of Chicago Press.
Aristoteles. (2007). Nicomachean Ethics. Hackett.
Plato. (2019). The republic. Black & White Classics.
Taylor, M. C. (2019). Thucydides’ Melian dialogue and Sicilian expedition: A student
commentary. University of Oklahoma Press.
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