Abstract

The problem analyzed in this dissertation is the concept of justice in Aristotle's theory of $\sigma\tau\acute{\alpha}\sigma\iota\zeta$ or 'civil discord.' Aristotle's theory was based on a long tradition which conceived of $\sigma\tau\acute{\alpha}\sigma\iota\zeta$ as disease occurring to complex organisms composed of naturally cooperative elements. The ontology and intelligibility of $\sigma\tau\acute{\alpha}\sigma\iota\zeta$ rested on a view that refers to a condition in which the functions of an organism are coming to a "halt." In this study the argument is made that Aristotle's concept of justice is the groundwork for the understanding of: Aristotle's theory of general and particular principles of $\sigma\tau\acute{\alpha}\sigma\iota\zeta$; and the foundations for diagnosing the causes of civil disorder as instances of injustice, i.e., as different strains of disease in each of the constitutions. The method used is one that analyzes $\sigma\tau\acute{\alpha}\sigma\iota\zeta$ in the context of contrariety as a privation, whereby it functions as the contrary of homonoia. Homonoia was the starting point for a community of mind in the ratio or the measure for purposive action among citizens participating in the complete life. The measure, taken absolutely, refers to political justice and the argument is made that $\sigma\tau\acute{\alpha}\sigma\iota\zeta$, as a process, emerges from breaches in "community of mind," especially those brought about by deviations in political justice