Aristotle's Liberalism of Virtue: Unity, Disorder and Friendship
Dissertation, Loyola University of Chicago (
2001)
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Abstract
This dissertation attempts to clarify the role of the middle polity in Aristotle's political teaching. By doing so, it explores Aristotle's contribution to current debates about liberalism. ;There are four aspects of the traditional view of Aristotle's political teaching that are problematic. First, the form of political friendship that supports the traditional view does not reflect the mixed textual evidence about the role and substance of political friendship. Second, practical perception is perceived as perfectible. Third, the political implications of errors in practical perception are not explored. Finally, the middle polity is marginalized as a correct regime by the traditional reading of the Politics. ;Each of these views is investigated along with textual evidence supporting them and drawing them into question. An alternative view is offered of each that is more consistent with the textual evidence. These alternative views, taken together, emphasize the role of the middle polity in Aristotle's political teaching. When this is done, Aristotle's liberal teaching surfaces. The dissertation further explores the contribution Aristotle makes to current debates regarding contemporary liberalism