Man is considered to be the highest intelligent being and the best creation of nature, which prevails over all other creatures. However, Aristotle would not agree with us. The main idea of his teaching about man is that, according to Aristotle, man is a social and political animal. Homo erectus and thinking, but still an animal.
From whom did man come
Aristotle spoke of the origin of man as well as the origin of all creatures, dividing them into only two types: bloodless and having blood. A person belongs to the second, those who have blood. Considering people as animals, Aristotle reduced his ideas about the origin of man to the fact that the ancestor of mankind is a monkey.
Why public?
According to Aristotle, man is a political, but also a social being. From the very first day of his life, he does not belong to himself, he serves society, family and the state. By nature, a person must live in harmony with other people. Only by existing and developing in groups, people are able to achieve a high level of both morality and the quality of life in general. The most important thing that occupied Aristotle, in terms of personal qualities, was virtue in its highest manifestations, which should be aimed at the benefit of society. Man, being the only being who can be virtuous, is obliged to give his debt to society. Great importance is given to justice, which one person can show only in relation to another. By this principle, a chain is created that consists of caring for one person in caring for society as a whole.
A person has a weapon that nature has given him - the power of intellect and morality, but he can use this weapon in the other direction as well, therefore a person without moral principles is a lower and wild creature driven only by animals and taste instincts
Why political?
Aristotle’s doctrine of man is directly related to discussions about politics and the state. The purpose of the analysis of political issues and the human nature is to place in the public service not so much a person as a highly moral person. Regardless of the estates, each person is born of a deliberately political being, with innate personal qualities and the instinct of “cohabitation with other creatures”. Everyone should take part in the construction of the state. Therefore, according to Aristotle, man is a political animal.
What is the similarity with an ordinary animal and the difference from it?
If you and I can cite many obvious and primary differences, then, according to Aristotle, a person differs from an animal only in the presence of intelligence. Under the intellect is meant the moral side of the personality, which helps to adhere to the rules and laws of society. Man differs from the animal in that it can see where good is and where evil is. See the difference between justice and injustice. A person who has attained the highest degree of perfection is taller than any animal. But he becomes lower than every creature if he lives contrary to laws and justice. In fact, there is nothing worse than an injustice equipped with a weapon.
As for the similarity, it is biological. That man, that animal, equally strives to satisfy their base biological needs. These include the need to sleep, eat and continue your family.
One of the important characteristics of man is virtue.
Having such a position, he nevertheless divided it into two types - intellectual and strong-willed. Qualitative qualities include character traits, something that in most cases is laid down by nature and rarely changes. Aristotle gave his preference precisely to the first, intellectual virtue. By intellectual virtue, he meant acquired wisdom, rational activity, and prudence.
However, the presence of intelligence does not mean that this virtue is inherent in every person. It is peculiar only to those people who act. Moreover, the activity is not in any of its manifestations, but exclusively informative. A person who takes pleasure in material wealth, seeks praise, benefits, or seeks to achieve certain goals cannot be virtuous. Virtues can only be achieved by truly enjoying the process of cognitive and theoretical activity.
Talking a lot and arguing about virtue is not an indication that a person is virtuous. The same thing with thoughts that are about justice - this does not mean that a person will in fact be fair.
What is the main goal of man?
The main goal of human existence is good. The highest good is a feeling of happiness and complete bliss. But the good should not be individual for each person, it directly depends on the public good. Therefore, to achieve their goals, a person simply needs to unite with other "public animals". And in order to carry out this association, people create a state. It is the state that is the connecting link in human communication and interaction.
What is the role of the state for man?
It is impossible to perceive the state as an instrument for achieving economic benefits. The initial and main goal of the emergence of the state is to create relationships in society for the common good. It turns out a vicious circle: a state cannot be created without a person, and a person, in turn, cannot exist outside the state, because according to Aristotle, a person is a political being.
Aristotle also perfectly understood that it is impossible to consider each person equal, even if everyone pursues the same goal - the achievement of the public good. He divided people into three main categories: excessively rich, poor and middle in between. Equally bad he belonged to the first two categories. The ideal model of a person’s position is medium. In any of his aspirations, a person should go to the goal - to find a middle ground. This applies to both material wealth and moral and virtuous qualities.
A generous person is one who gives the right person the right thing at the right time.
A person determines his position in society with the help of property. This often becomes the subject of quarrels and discontent. However, each person must defend his right to property, developing which he is able to fight against social foundations for the sake of progress. At the same time, Aristotle urges society not to forget about mercy and generosity, helping those who need it. Manifestations of solidarity and friendship are the highest manifestation of political and social virtue.