Aristotle on Why the State is a Natural Institution
“State is a creation of nature and man is by nature a political animal”. Aristotle
According to Aristotle, man is a political animal, destined by nature for political life. Whoever is outside the State is either greater than human or less than human. The solitary man is either a beast or a god. The State is the only setting within which human beings can live the sort of life appropriate to their kind. It is impossible for man to live life on his own without the State.
Aristotle finds the State as a natural institution without which good life of citizens is not possible. For him, the State comes into existence for the sake of life and continues for the sake of good life.
Aristotle gives the following reasons to substantiate the argument that State is a natural institution:
Firstly, the State originates out of human need. A fact of nature is that no individual can supply himself with all the necessities of life. All forms of human associations emerge naturally to meet particular human needs. Household is natural and so is village. The State too is natural and most importantly it is the highest of all associations. Only the State is able to ensure that all our needs are met in their entirety, moral and material.
Secondly, the State provides economic prerequisites of morality. Happiness is not possible when one lives in conditions of want. While too much material wealth encourages laziness and arrogance, a sufficient level of material prosperity is necessary to live well.
Thirdly, the State provides the educational conditions for the cultivation and realisation of moral virtue. Aristotle says, “Man when perfected is the best of all creatures, but when isolated from law and justice, he is the worst of all.” Education encourages good habits and produces good people.
Finally, the State provides the social preconditions of our ethical well-being. It is not in our nature to be solitary. It is man’s nature to associate himself with his fellow men and form associations. According to Aristotle, happiness is incomplete unless shared with others. He considered friendship an important prerequisite of happiness.
Aristotle’s idea of the State is a natural community that meets the moral and material needs of citizens. Aristotelian State is an all-sufficient community. His State represented the highest level of social evolution and the highest form of political union.
The Concept of Organic State
According to Aristotle, there is an organic relationship between the State and the individuals. For instance, a hand, when the body is destroyed, is no longer a hand. A hand is to be defined by its purpose, that of grasping, which it can only perform when joined to a living body. In like manner, an individual cannot fulfil his purpose unless he is part of a State.
Aristotle argued that the State is prior to the individual. In order of time, the family comes first. However, the State is prior to it, and even to the individual, by nature. Human society fully developed is the State and the whole is prior to the part.
For Aristotle, he who founded the State was the greatest of the benefactors. Because, without law, man is the worst of animals. The State promotes virtuous life of the citizens and is necessary for the development of human personality. The end of the State is the good life of its citizens. Since man aims at the good, the State, which is the highest form of community, aims at the highest good.
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