[The Sabbaticus]

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Part of the Introduction to Political Philosophy course dealing with Aristotle's views on political theory and human beings as intrinsic political animals. Towards the end you'll find an amusing glint of self-reflection, where he notes that many in Yale are the new 'Aristotelian aristocracy', in accordance to the assertions of Aristotle. Of course he segues to the subject from a discussion point on slavery.

According to this lecturer's interpretation, Aristotle claims that nature can make mistakes in who is made slave (presumably referring to war captives, physical strength, etc.), and the real deciding factor should be 'rationality' (discipline of the passions, desires - self-restraint, self-control). Apparently there is a 'natural' social hierarchy, as determined by this rationality. Those that possess this discipline of mind, self-restraint and self-control should be the ruling class, and govern for the good of all. But this rationality is unequally divided amongst human beings. And while all men are rational beings, education should be the preserve of the few. The implication of course is that slavery is reserved for the lesser 'gifted'.

The lecturer made it a point to note how distasteful Aristotle's views were, even referencing to Thomas Jefferson (a slave holder himself) earlier on, but the implication is evident concerning the 'Aristotelian aristocracy' of Yale.

[noemon]

(presumably referring to war captives, physical strength, etc.)

Not "presumably", but explicitly.

The lecturer at the end makes the point that intellectual elitism(standards) is a requirement for success, excellence, freedom & democracy, according to Aristotle but also according to Yale's success record.

I don't see anything wrong with that assertion and I believe that the lecturer has a very good grasp of the meaning of words, the only bit that is funny in his lecture is he restrains himself in calling Aristotle a Macedonian.

It is a bit ridiculous people censoring themselves so that they do not hurt the sensitivities of an utterly deluded Balkan country.

He says "he was not an Athenian, he was from a city called Stageira in....{pause} what is now called Macedonia {whispers} as was called back then"...then he says it again...

"why was Aristotle silent when Athens had to accept Macedonian rule and politics were raging?"....."well because he was not an Athenian....{pause}...he was not protected by Athenian citizenship".

Obviously Aristotle had to maintain a policy of neutrality and unity among the Greek city-states and that is why he was silent on the political events of his time, because it was the right thing to do for the Head of Plato's Academy, but also because he was Macedonian himself and the tutor of Alexander.

[Potemkin]

Obviously Aristotle had to maintain a policy of neutrality and unity among the Greek city-states and that is why he was silent on the political events of his time, because it was the right thing to do for the Head of Plato's Academy, but also because he was Macedonian himself and the tutor of Alexander.

There's also the point that he was a cautious man, interested in his own survival. His great-nephew, the historian Callisthenes, was on campaign with Alexander, and regularly corresponded with Aristotle. When Callisthenes' letters started becoming highly critical of Alexander, Aristotle immediately broke off the correspondence, and later said of Callisthenes that he was "clever, but not wise". Callisthenes himself later became involved in a plot to assassinate Alexander, and was executed. Aristotle was nobody's fool.

[noemon]

Aristotle was nobody's fool.

Precisely, I have always assumed that he had correspondence with quite a few people both family & friends in Alexanders camp besides the leader himself, regardless on whether these documents survive or not because I feel that he had them destroyed at some point or another, Aristotle lived through the entire cycle when half turned against the opposition and then again and he survived the switches which is telling of what he could have done to hide positions that would implicate him in any camp since he lived though governorship of all of them.