A Democracy of Distinction: Aristotle and the Work of PoliticsOffering an ancient education for our times, Jill Frank's A Democracy of Distinction interprets Aristotle's writings in a way that reimagines the foundations, aims, and practices of politics, ancient and modern. Concerned especially with the work of making a democracy of distinction, Frank shows that such a democracy requires freedom and equality achieved through the exercise of virtue. Moving back and forth between Aristotle's writings and contemporary legal and political theory, Frank breathes new life into our conceptions of property, justice, and law by viewing them not only as institutions but as dynamic activities as well. Frank's innovative approach to Aristotle stresses his appreciation of the tensions and complexities of politics so that we might rethink and reorganize our own political ideas and practices. A Democracy of Distinction will be of enormous value to classicists, political scientists, and anyone interested in revitalizing democratic theory and practice. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
action Ancient Greece argue Aris aristocracy Aristotelian Aristotle calls Aristotle insists Aristotle maintains Aristotle says Aristotle's account Aristotle's Political Athenian Athenian Democracy Athens's capacity Carnes Lord chap character characteristic choregia choregos citizens citizenship city of prayer claim common conflict constitutional polity corrective justice democratic aristocracy depends difference discussion distribution distributive justice dunamis energeia equality ethical and political eudaimonia Eunoia exchange habits homonoia human nature identity individual insofar institutions Kraut means mode moderation moral virtue natural slaves Nicomachean Ethics Nussbaum oligarchy oligarchy and democracy one’s ousia Oxford phronesis phronetic judgment Plato pleonexia political friendship Political Philosophy Political Theory polity’s possible practical wisdom practice of virtue preserves Princeton produce prohairetic activity proper reciprocal justice regime relation rule of law rulers saw in chapter self-interest sense sharing slavery social soul Sparta Sparta's Theramenes things tion totle treat unity University Press virtue friends virtue friendship virtuous wealth Yack