Wednesday, 7 September 2022

What is the Mean Term of Distributive Justice according to Aristotle? A Solution to the Geometrical Problem Posed in Book V of the Nicomachean Ethics | Chapter 6 | Research Aspects in Arts and Social Studies Vol. 1

 Aristotle presents a geometrical conundrum to ascertain the Mean Term of Distributive Justice in the Nicomachean Ethics. In order to resolve it, we must first make reference to the Aristotelian Theory of the Mean and then explain why, in the case of Distributive Justice, the mean term is between three rather than two extremes, as it is for all the other virtues. In fact, Aristotle began by noting that there were three conflicting viewpoints regarding the most reasonable standard for allocating political and economic rights and obligations: for the democratic party, freedom was the only legitimate standard, followed by wealth and virtue, and for the oligarchs. All three of the solutions are incorrect, in my opinion, because Aristotle believed that the three criteria should be taken into account equally. As a result, the geometric figure required by Aristotle would be the triangle divided into Extreme and Mean Ratio, which suggests that the Golden Ratio between the three opposing distributive criteria is the most equitable criterion. In reality, by applying the problem's solution to various kinds of administration, we may determine which system of governance Aristotle considered to be absolutely just: the aristocratic Politeia. We all know that Polybius, who saw in the Roman Republic a manifestation of the Stagirite doctrine of justice, popularised the Aristotelian ideal of the Mixed Constitution.


Author(s) Details:

Maria Antonietta Salamone,
Department of Philosophy and Society, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RAASS-V1/article/view/8115

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