The Priority of the Good and the Contrapuntal Character of Aristotle’s Politics I

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-244
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Smith

Abstract Politics I has been the subject of a number of textual questions about the relation of the Ethics to the Politics. These textual questions involve us in theoretical questions about the differences between contemporary and ancient conceptions of political rule. Resolving the exegetical challenges can help us clarify the theoretical differences. A fresh approach to the textual challenges reveals that Politics I has a contrapuntal character with two reinforcing movements. One explores why and how despotic conceptions of politics fail using case studies of despotic power: slavery and money-making. Aristotle shows dialectically how this despotic approach to rule undermines the requirements for political life. The other movement explores the character of natural human associations, culminating in the polis. The two movements converge in Aristotle’s claim about the centrality of the human good for political rule. This claim challenges modern social contract theory’s understanding of the differences between despotic and political rule.

Author(s):  
Christine M. Korsgaard

This chapter criticizes the familiar idea that humans are more important than animals. After examining some reasons why we treat humans and animals differently, and showing that they do not imply the superior importance of humans, it argues that the claim of superior human importance is not so much false as (nearly) incoherent. Importance and goodness are “tethered” values: things are only important or good when they are important-to or good-for some creature. To be important or good absolutely is to be important-to or good-for all creatures. One kind of creature could be absolutely more important than others only if the fate of that kind of creature were more important to others than their own fates. Only a teleological picture of the world that made human good the ultimate purpose of the world could support the conclusion that humans are more important than the other animals.


1992 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-208
Author(s):  
Frank I. Michelman

Prescriptive political and moral theories contain ideas about what human beings are like and about what, correspondingly, is good for them. Conceptions of human “nature” and corresponding human good enter into normative argument by way of support and justification. Of course, it is logically open for the ratiocinative traffic to run the other way. Strongly held convictions about the rightness or wrongness, goodness or badness, of certain social institutions or practices may help condition and shape one's responses to one or another set of propositions about what people are like and what, in consequence, they have reason to value.


2020 ◽  
pp. 24-33
Author(s):  
Terence Irwin

Plato rejects Socrates’ belief that knowledge of the good is sufficient for being virtuous; he argues that human souls have a non-rational part (emotions, impulses), and that the virtues require not only knowledge, but also the correct training of the non-rational part. He rejects Socrates’ belief that virtue is sufficient for happiness. Instead he argues that the virtuous person is always happier than anyone else. He defends this view in the most difficult case, the other-regarding virtue of justice. Plato recognizes that one may plausibly argue that my justice is good for other people, but harmful to me. None the less he rejects this argument. The appropriate relation between the rational and the non-rational parts of the soul promotes both the agent’s good and the good of others; that is why the just person is happier than anyone else. Those who suppose that the just person may be worse off by being just do not understand the character of the human good.


1990 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Tarrier ◽  
Susan Harwood ◽  
Lawrence Yusopoff ◽  
Richard Beckett ◽  
Amanda Baker

A method of teaching coping skills to patients with schizophrenia who experience unremitting psychotic symptoms is described. This method (Coping Strategy Enhancement CSE) is based on a thorough behaviour analysis of each symptom and the assessment of any coping strategy the subject may already employ. The subject is then systematically trained in the use of appropriate coping strategies in response to the occurrence of their psychotic symptoms. Two case studies are described in which CSE was used. Both patients showed considerable improvements over treatment. In one patient improvement continued at 6 month follow-up, in the other there was some deterioration at follow-up. Possible reasons for these results were discussed.


Author(s):  
Azin Taufik

This study was conducted to describe the difficulties of students in the proof using mathematical induction as well as efforts to resolve it using the Scaffolding. Scaffolding is providing assistance given by teachers or peers who are more capable to students so that they can reach their potential level. This study uses a qualitative research design types of case studies, where data is obtained in the form of observations sheet test and an interview with the subject. The subject is based on the results of diagnostic tests that are classified according to type of error is then taken of each group of students as subjects. Based on the research, found the location of the difficulties experienced by students in the proof of proposition using mathematical induction, namely the difficulty in manipulating algebra to show the truth of Pk + 1. Of these difficulties, students are given the scaffolding in accordance with the difficulties faced by each student. Depth scaffolding scaffolding provided is a second level that is explaining, reviewing and restructuring and third tiers of scaffolding that is developing conceptual thinking. The advice given by researchers is the teacher must give emphasis or affirmation special steps to make assumptions and define a form Pk + 1, the student must master the other concepts that relate to a given problem, so as to make the connection between Pk and Pk +1, and similar studies should be conducted with more depth on other types of problems, such as conjecture. Keywords: Diagnosis difficulty, Mathematical Induction, Scaffolding


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-92
Author(s):  
Răzvan Dragoş

AbstractSince Antiquity, there have been biunivocal links between theater, technology and visual arts, each of these branches being, if not decisively influenced by the others, at least stimulated. Technology was put at the service of theater either as a logistical part or in “main” roles, sometimes in competition with the actor, in other words with the man. In the first case we are dealing with elevators, cranes, light or sound devices and so on. In the second, with automatic machines, largely autonomous. Applied arts, costumes, scenery, stage props and everything related to scenography are largely synonymous with the performing arts. On the other hand, the technicalartistic commands and requirements coming from the theater have always been a step forward for those directions. Technology and art have also influenced each other, if we take into account, for example, Leonardo da Vinci’s utopian sketches, endowed rather with artistic qualities, but at the same time often functional as stage props. This article points out the idea written above through several representative case studies for the subject approached in a historically evolutionary perspective, relating them to the philosophical concepts or social phenomena behind them.


Author(s):  
PADVI A. T. ◽  
NILE U. V.

The Tribes Bhil, Pawra, Dhanka, Tadvi Dhanka are known for the production of Amchoor of Satpura ranges in Nandurbar District. They are specially relying on this production. The present paper aims to explore the process of Amchoor production and contribution for source of economy in tribal livelihood. Amchoor production from raw unripe wild mangoes, that are peeled and fresh cut sliced then sun dried. The dried Amchoor is sold in the local market. The Tribes are unknown about the other market subsequently they have to depend on the local market rates and local trader’s policy. The market price is decided by the local traders. The local traders take advantages of their illiteracy and do not pay them the handsome of amount as per the weight and measures. The local traders exploit the producers economically. Amchoor powder has a pleasant sweet-sour aroma of the dried fruits. It has a cooling effect and is good for digestion.


Author(s):  
Christian Gilliam

This chapter investigates how Sartre instigates the first few moves of ‘pure’ immanence. Through following the progression of Sartre’s thought, there is shown a deepening engagement with immanence, which ultimately sets the foundation upon which the later thinkers build. In his early period, Sartre reworks Husserlian intentionality to bring about a repudiation of the transcendental ego. Following from this, in Being and Nothingness and the Critique, he develops a dialectic in which consciousness, while relating to an ‘outside’, is construed as also thoroughly embedded in that outside through the subject-body of the flesh and relations of desire. From this comes a conceptualisation of the In-itself and For-itself as simulacra or topological variations of a more primordial intertwining or fabric of univocal Being. In this sense, we are immediately taken away from the subject of social contract theory, insofar as this presumes an asocial self, and the notion of identity as the sine qua non of politics, insofar as this presumes the terrain of an inexplicable transcendent Other. This brings with it a new take on politics as an ethical practice – one that will be taken up and extended by the other three thinkers – in which we do not look for a transcendent outside or fracture/break in immanence through which to ground resistance, but rather work through and experiment with our situation or condition.


2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bim Riddersporre

Title: Normative control in the pre-school: A Swedish case studyAbstract: The project “Normative leadership in the pre-school” is a series of case-studies which aims at clarifying how normative leadership is practiced and negotiated, as well as which norms are created by leaders and co-workers. The amount of research into leadership in pre-schools is currently low, despite the comprehensive nature and significance of the institution. Relation to theory is often weak, as is the connection to more general research on leadership. I have chosen the theory of normative control of organisations as a framework for my analysis. The empirical methods are a combination of interviews and observations. In this first case study, the subject is an unusual leadership task. A number of new pre-schools are to be established, and the leader is to create a vision for these. Tension arises between vision and daily reality, however. It is the vision that must confront everyday life, and not the other way around. A common understanding must gradually be established, with its foundation just as much in norms and ideas as in security and common experience. The results indicate that negotiation and re-negotiation are important aspects of normative control in the pre-school. I propose the concept distributed normative control as the collaborators and the leader share the normative power in the daily round. Keywords: Pre-school leadership, Normative control, Distributed leadership, Case studyEmail: [email protected]


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 10854
Author(s):  
Juan Claver ◽  
Amabel García-Domínguez ◽  
Miguel A. Sebastián

The cataloguing experience presented addresses two key challenges of cataloguing industrial heritage assets. On the one hand, despite their value and interest, some of these assets are little known and difficult to identify. Moreover, on the other hand, this heritage typology needs further promotion and valuation. In this context, collaborative cataloging responds to both challenges from its initial approach. Unlike cataloging tasks developed by small teams, involving many people throughout the territory allows to take advantage of the local knowledge of each participant. However, in addition, each participant contributes to the dissemination of the goods collected in the generated catalog. First in a passive way, when knowing the contributions of the rest of the participants. Secondly, actively, by disseminating the cataloging initiative developed among their contacts. This cataloguing experience has been developed with the students of the subject Environmental Project Management during the last four courses. The assets selected by the students (106) as case studies to develop a reuse project are shown in an open web map, which includes the narrated video presentation of the proposal developed for some of them (25). The obtained results contribute both the identification and promoting of this kind of assets.


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