Aristotle, Politics

Aristotle’s Politics, written in the 4th century BC by “the Philosopher” (384–322 BC), is one of the foundational works of Western political philosophy, composed as a continuation of his ethical studies to examine how human beings live together in ordered communities. Drawing on his method of careful observation and logical analysis, Aristotle investigates the nature of the city (polis), the purpose of government, the varieties of political constitutions, and the conditions necessary for a just and stable society. He argues that man is by nature a political animal and that the highest good of human life is achieved not in isolation but within a rightly ordered community directed toward virtue. The work examines different forms of government—monarchy, aristocracy, polity, and their corrupt counterparts—and offers practical guidance on education, law, citizenship, and the preservation of political order. As one of the most influential texts in Western civilization, Politics has shaped classical, medieval, and modern thought, providing essential principles for understanding civil society, natural law, and the moral foundations of political life. I am pleased to make Thomas Taylor’s 1811 translation of Aristotle’s Politics available for study. To learn more about Thomas Taylor, please see my talk, “The Vocation of a Professional Student“.

God bless your studies,
Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
Headmaster
Classical Liberal Arts Academy

Book I

Book II

Book III

Book IV

Book V

Book VI

Book VII

Book VIII

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