Aristotelianism

Aristotelianism is an ancient ideology and philosophy developed by Greek philosopher, Aristotle during the Classical period. Aristotelianism had a significant influence over European philosophy throughout history.

Immanent Realism
Aristotelianism's teacher Platonism argues that all things have a universal form, which could be either a property or a relation to other things. When one looks at an apple, for example, one sees an apple, and one can also analyse a form of an apple. In this distinction, there is a particular apple and a universal form of an apple. Moreover, one can place an apple next to a book, so that one can speak of both the book and apple as being next to each other. Platonism argues that there are some universal forms that are not a part of particular things. For example, it is possible that there is no particular good in existence, but "good" is still a proper universal form. Aristotelianism disagrees with Platonism on this point, arguing that all universals are instantiated at some period of time, and that there are no universals that are unattached to existing things. In addition, Aristotelianism disagrees with Platonism about the location of universals. Where Platonism speaks of the world of forms, a place where all universal forms subsist, Aristotelianism maintained that universals exist within each thing on which each universal is predicated. So, according to Aristotelianism, the form of apple exists within each apple, rather than in the world of the forms.

Five Elements
Aristotelianism believes that the world is made out of 5 elements, to the 4 of them - Earth, Water, Fire and Air that were already proposed by philosopher Empedocles. He adds the fifth heavenly element of "Aether" that he believes evenly distributed in every corner of the universe and is what the heavenly spheres and stars are made of.

Four Causes
Aristotelianism believes that the reason of coming about of all things can be attributed to 4 simultaneously active causes. Notably the "cause" should be understood in the context of explanation "how" does something exist and what makes it the thing it is rather than just explaining its purpose.
 * 1) Material Cause - Describes the material out of which something is composed.
 * 2) Formal Cause - Describes the arrangement of matter that gives specific form to it.
 * 3) Efficient Cause - Describes how does something function and how it came to be.
 * 4) Final Cause - Describes the purpose of something, why something exists or is done.

Three Aristotelian Virtues
Aristotelianism believes in 3 virtues people should practice to become a better person and create a better society.
 * 1) Phronesis - Wisdom, understood as the ability to learn, think from different perspectives, understand right and wrong and be able to put knowledge into practice.
 * 2) Dikaiosyne - Justice, understood as giving credit where credit's due.
 * 3) Philia - Friendship, understood as practice of trust, love and forming bonds with other people.

[[File:Sec.png]] Nomos and Thesis
Aristotelianism believes in existence of certain universal laws of nature called Nomos, those are timeless, cosmic and unchangeable laws that rule the universe, for example the fact that human is a social being is one of such natural laws. Thesis is the name that Aristotelianism gives to man-made laws, those are laws that are not universal, they only apply to certain groups of people (like people living on certain territory) and can be changed. Aristotelianism believes that to create a good law system, Thesis cannot contradict Nomos.

[[File:Agrarianism.png]] The State and its Development [[File:Urbism.png]]
Aristotelianism believes that the purpose of the state should be the welfare and happiness of its citizens. The state itself is a community of autonomous individuals created exactly for that purpose. Since the state is a an institution made to create happiness for its citizens, Aristotelianism believes that those who live outside of it and have no homeland of their own are pitiable. In Aristotelenian thought, community develops through 3 stages.
 * 1) Oikos - The family farm. The family and their farm forms the foundation of society, within family human beings are socialized and form oiko-nomia - the laws that regulate relations between parents and children. When several Oikos gather to live in one place, the next stage of community begins.
 * 2) Kome - Community of families. Several families living closely will form a community, such community to survive must develop a common feeling of trust, purpose and identity. If Kome succeeds in creating those, it will be able to enter the final stage of community.
 * 3) Polis - Polis is the final stage of community's development. With that the community is able to become political in nature and form governmental and advanced social structures.

[[File:AristocracyIcon.png]] Virtuous and Corrupted Forms of Government [[File:Oligarchy.png]]
Aristotelianism believes that we can pinpoint 3 types of governance, as well as distinguish virtuous and corrupted forms of each of those. Type of government where political power is focused in the hands of one person is called a. The corrupted form of Monarchy is, where ruler leads with fear and threat rather than wisdom and justice Type of government where political power lies in the hands of several powerful individuals is called. The corrupted form of Aristocracy is, where the ruling group focuses only on gaining and sustaining their power and wealth, rather than serving its people.

Type of government where political power lies in the hands of common citizens that debate over issues and together make decisions Aristotelianism calls a Politeia. The corrupted version of Politeia Aristotelianism calls a. (Although it is important to note that Aristotle's definition of Democracy is more in line with our definition of ).

[[File:Dem.png]] The Politeia [[File:Athdem.png]]
The Politeia in Aristotelianism's view is the perfect form of government, where power belongs to the people, but doesn't turn into a blind mob rule. Aristotelianism points out several characteristics that define a Politeia, those are:
 * 1) All public offices are chosen by all citizens.
 * 2) Everyone rules over everyone.
 * 3) Public offices are chosen by lottery among citizens. Citizen can serve the same function for maximum of 2 terms.
 * 4) Citizens can serve in political positions regardless of their wealth.
 * 5) Terms of serving in office are short, with the exception of positions that take care of military matters.
 * 6) Any citizen can become a judge and they are elected by popular voting.

Additionally Aristotelianism believes in 3 rights that must be guaranteed to citizens in Politeia.
 * 1) Isonomia - Equality before the law for all citizens.
 * 2) Isegoria - Freedom of speech. All citizens need to have the right to publicly voice their opinions and beliefs in relation to state's issues. Only in this way, through public dialogue of citizens, good decisions can be made by the common people.
 * 3) Isotimia - Freedom to serve in public office. All citizens must be guaranteed with right to apply for public office and serve their state, regardless of their wealth or family heritage.

Finally Aristotelian Politeia would also entail 2 activities that are needed for the continuous survival of it.
 * 1) Paideia - Form of education that would raise citizens in the spirit of Politeia's values since childhood, creating a civic culture and identity that lies at the foundation of Polis.
 * 2) Dokimasia - Form of controlling the governing leaders, regularly investigating whether they properly fulfill their duties or not.

Personality
Aristotelianism is a very optimistic and social ball. He loves teaching others about his beliefs and debating philosophical ideas. He also enjoys spending time and partying with his friends. He dislikes ascetism, in his opinion people should live their life as happily as possible, as long as it doesn't come at the expense of others.

How to Draw


Done!
 * 1) Draw a ball
 * 2) Color it with white
 * 3) Draw a black Greek letter phi (Φ) in the middle
 * 4) Add the two eyes
 * 5) (Optional) Add a puffy grey beard, and smaller dark grey mustache on the ball

Friends

 * [[File:Athdem.png]] - I learned in Athens and there I started my teachings.
 * [[File:AristocracyIcon.png]] - An enlightened group leading their people with wisdom. Very virtuous.
 * [[File:Enlightab.png]] - A wise monarch ruling for the good of his people.
 * [[File:Merit.png]] - You're right my friend. Our leaders must live up to our expectations.
 * [[File:Conservative.png]] - Indeed, it is important to prevent our culture from decay.
 * [[File:Wikilib.png]] - You understand the importance of freedom and equality between citizens needed for Politeia to exist.
 * [[File:Welf.png]] - The state exists for the welfare and happiness of its citizens, you are correct my friend.
 * [[File:Hedonism.png]] Hedonism - Let's have a toast! Just don't overdo it.
 * [[File:RomSto.png]] Stoicism - A good and virtuous friend, but sometimes too stiff.
 * [[File:Thomism.png]] Thomism - I hear that you find my writings very inspirational.
 * [[File:Skeptic.png]] Skepticism - "Be a free thinker and don't accept everything you hear as truth. Be critical and evaluate what you believe in."
 * [[File:Slaveism icon.png]] - Consistent with the natural law of domination and obedience. At the same time, you are necessary for the maintenance of order in the life of the city-state.

Frenemies

 * [[File:Dem.png]] - I hate that name, but you're not what I think of when I'm talking negatively about Democracy.
 * [[File:Plato.png]] Platonism - My teacher, I respect you, but we disagree on almost everything.
 * [[File:Monarch.png]] - Remember to rule with wisdom so as to not become a tyrant.

Enemies

 * [[File:Totalitarian.png]] - Barbaric! You rule only through fear and trample over your own people!
 * [[File:Oligarchy.png]] - Despicable! You would lead your people to doom just to fill your pockets!
 * [[File:Ochlo.png]] - Blind mob rule! This is what I meant when speaking against Democracy.

Columns

 * Works by Aristotle (Wikisource)
 * [[file:Wikipedia.png]] Aristotelianism (Wikipedia)
 * Works by Aristotle (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)