Origins of Polis: Aristotle the Polis Finds Term Paper

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Origins of Polis: Aristotle

The polis finds its original roots in necessity. The polis existed to protect citizens in times of war. The polis was a small defensible area which farmers who had banded together defended in the event of an attack. For instance, the Acropolis in Athens originally served as a polis. The growth of the polis was entirely unplanned; necessity dictated its size and its borders. Unlike most cities, the polis was placed well inland so as to avoid attack by sea.

Slowly, by the time of Aristotle, the polis had developed into a small, independent community which was male-dominated and bound together by one single race. There was very little diversity within the polis. Membership in the polis was exclusive as well. Only certain families and their descendants could become members. Indeed, the memberships were not transferable either; Rights to belong to a polis could not be sold or bought.

The polis eventually developed into the concept of citizenship. Aristotle defined citizenship by the type of state in which those citizens lived.

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Aristotle found the polis to be rational because it is made up of creatures whose highest virtue is reason. For Aristotle, the polis was the highest form of association.

He comes to this assertion by virtue of a strictly logical path. Aristotle begins with considering forms of political community:

Our purpose is to consider what form of political community is best of all for those who are most able to realize their ideal of life. We must therefore examine not only this but other constitutions, both such as actually exist in well-governed states, and any theoretical forms which are held in esteem; that what is good and useful may be brought to light. (Aristotle Book II, 1)

Aristotle examines the polis from not only the theoretical angle, but from a practical angle as well: he reverse-engineers the polis and determines it to be pure and rational.

But his idea of rationality may….....

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