Aristotle and Aquinas Essay -- Philosophy essays

Aristotle and Aquinas Among political theorists, the debate over the incur of faithfulness has been quite intense. From the earliest days of political philosophical system through to the enlightenment, there have been varying views on what the rule of law should be. Two thinkers in particular - Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas - are by chance the most influential. On the surface, they both advocate the rule of law as playing a crucial role in society. But upon deeper analysis, peerless finds that Aristotles views sharply contrast with those of Aquinas. This essay shall attempt to elucidate the disagreement mingled with Aristotle and Aquinas, by first outlining Aristotles arguments for and against the rule of law, and then by explaining what Aristotle would find wretched with Aquinas arguments. In the third book of Politics (1286a8ff.), Aristotle presents a number of arguments for and against the rule of law. He begins by posing a question around which his ensuing discuss ion revolves The beginning point of the inquiry if this whether it is more advantageous to be ruled by the high hat man or by the best laws.1 He proceeds to point out that laws only speak of the universal, and that they do not command a view to circumstance2 He uses the analogy of an Egyptian bushel to prove his point. In Egypt, a doctor must come in legal procedure when treating a patient. It is only later the fourth day that the doctor is legally permitted to use his or her have got discretion, and even then, it is at his or her own risk. Thus, the doctor must follow the prescribed routine (until the fourth day), even if it leads to the death of his patient. Aristotle uses this example to illustrate that the best regime cannot be one that i... ...le by law, or to fuck off by law that is the question. And the debate still rages on. BIBLIOGRAPHY Lord, Carnes trans. Aristotle, The Politics. University of bread Press Chicago 1985 Baumgarth, William P. and Richard J. Regan eds. Aquinas, St. Thomas. On Law, Morality, and Politics. Hackett Publishing Company, Indiana 1998 1 Lord, Carnes trans. - Aristotle, The Politics. P. 111 Ln. 8-9 2 ibidem Ln. 11-12 3 Ibid. Ln. 20-21 4 Ibid. Ln. 30 5 Ibid. Ln. 35 6 Ibid. Pp. 111-112. Ln.36-37 7 Ibid. P. 112. Ln. 2 8 Ibid. Ln.6 9 Ibid. P. 114. Ln 28 10 Ibid. P. 115. Ln. 4-5 11 Baumgarth, William P. and Richard J. Regan eds. Aquinas, St. Thomas. On Law, Morality, and Politics. P. 57 12 Ibid. Pp. 57-58 13 Ibid. P. 58 14 Ibid. P. 116. Ln. 28