Concept of Community: Aristotle’s Perspective

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue VII, July 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Concept of Community: Aristotle’s Perspective

 Ignatius Nnaemeka ONWUATUEGWU
Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract:- The concept of community differs from one school of thought to another. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of community in accordance with the perspective in which Aristotle postulated the concept. The objectives are not limited to ascertaining the meaning and purpose of community in Aristotle’s perspective, enumerating the birth and formation of community, as well as making a succinct discourse on major elements of a community such as: Man as a political animal, slavery, women, wealth, citizenship, and ruler-ship. In order to attain the objectives stated, the paper will adopt qualitative research methodology. The reliance on qualitative methodology will offer the paper the room to explore contents of peer reviewed literatures and journals which are in relation to the concepts and subject matters of the objectives of this paper. However, the paper will also give room for personal opinion of the writer verified on the basis of comparative studies of relative literatures. This paper finds that the polis (a city-state such as Athens), is the highest form of community, whose aim is the highest of goods. It is also found that the making of a community is not a free-run thing. A community is built from the Families when much families come together in a considerable extent; they tend to form a village, and a combination of several villages would turn to a state, and the state is the first form of community.

Keywords: philosopher, Aristotle, Perspective, community, politics.

I. INTRODUCTION

Aristotle’s perspective about the concept of the community would be well comprehended through his text known as the Politics. His text has been tipped as the most important of Aristotle’s philosophy. It has been argued that in order to fully appreciate the concept as analysed by Aristotle in his text, a look into Nicomachean Ethics will aid full understanding of Aristotle’s perspective (Simpson: 1998, 28-30). Aristotle’s perspective shows that ethics is knitted with politic; it portends that ethical or virtuous life can only be enjoyed by a person who participates in politics (ibid). He also posits that moral education is the chief priority of any political community.

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