Aristotle's Position on Equality

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Aristotle's position on equality by first discussing Aristotle's overriding criteria for evaluating human life and human action, which is his notion of virtue and the good life. Second, the paper discusses the implications of this virtue for men living together in society, and society's prime construct, the state. Third, the paper discusses the argument that equality is requisite for the achievement of virtue. Fourth, the paper discusses the argument that political equality is requisite to achieve the best attainable state. Finally, the desirability of increased economic inequality is demonstrated.

From the Paper:

"In a world of limited resources, scarcity, and conflict, human persons experience fundamental differences in their social, political, and economic conditions. Significant inequality exists within and among societies. In the United States, with its founding significantly influenced by the Lockean concept of natural rights, economic inequality inevitably pervades a system that defines economic fairness by procedure rather than outcome. Although formerly present in the United States, acute political inequality is best identified abroad, despite present questions regarding the state of our electoral and vote counting systems; slavery in the Sudan and the mandates of Shariah, extreme Islamic Law, in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan each eviscerate the ability of minority groups and women, respectively, to effectively exercise their political rights and participate in society. Aristotle objects to inequalities among citizens because they undermine individual flourishing and because they undermine the stability and proper functioning of the political order. However, Aristotle's arguments fail to persuade, as he fails to address situations in which his analysis apparently fails."

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