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Untitled document

Uploaded by

Mosharof Hossain Zitu
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Introduction: Aristotle was a realist philosopher of state philosophy and

state theory. The scientific method he discovered in the field of state


theory is a testament to his originality. The Greek philosopher Aristotle,
in his book The Politics, discusses the rights and ownership of property
in his analysis of the position of the citizens of the state, known as his
"property theory".

Aristotle says that property is natural to man. Because through this the
person is able to gain moral excellence. To deprive a person of
possession of property means to block the path of his personality
development.

Theory of Property of Aristotle:

Aristotle mentions in his book “The Politics” that nature has created all
kinds of resources for all living beings to earn a living and they have to
accumulate and sustain life. Because acquiring property is human
instinct. It is not possible to attain moral excellence without property.

Aristotle said, “Property is natural to man because through this one is


able to gain moral excellence. To deprive a person of possession of
property means to block the path of his personality development. ”
(Aristotle’s The politics, translated by H. Rackham, p. 15)

For this reason, he has discussed in detail in “The Politics” about the
definition of property, nature, acquisition techniques and the principle of
eviction.

Definition of Property: Aristotle’s definition of wealth is rooted in his


property theory. According to him, “The stock of imanimate instrument
necessary for a household or for a state.”

Nature of Property: It is not possible for people to make a living without


property. So property is essential for the existence of life.
That is why Aristotle says that property ownership is normal and the
instinct to acquire wealth is innate.

Thus, it is advisable for a person to have private property and not be


deprived of property rights.

Property is more limited than it needs to be. Less resources than needed
are inconvenient, just as excess resources are needed.

For example, if a hammer is impossibly heavy, it cannot be used, and if


it is too light, it will not work. By this example, Aristotle meant that real
wealth would always be limited.

According to Aristotle, the extinction of private property is unreasonable


and erroneous. It is unjust and unreasonable to acquire and enjoy
unlimited wealth. Unlimited wealth leads people to crime and people
become corrupt. On the other hand, if a person or a group acquires a
large amount of limited resources alone, everyone else will be deprived
of property and poverty will be created.

Therefore, Aristotle supported the ownership of limited resources.

Art of Acquisition of Property :

The rationale for property ownership depends on the method of


acquiring the property.

How much wealth a person will have must be determined by his needs
and motives. According to him, since property is an instrument and its
main goal is to help build an honest or moral life within the family or
state. Therefore there will be a certain limit on the amount of resources
that will be extracted. He said that if the trade plan was prepared through
exchange of goods, it would be reasonable and normal. But if it is
conducted in exchange for cash, then trade is not fair. In this case, trade
and commerce become profitable. People become distracted by the
dream of creating a mountain of money and move away from morality.
As a result, misery, deprivation, inequality and exploitation of the society
increase. According to him, any kind of exchange and investment made
for profit would be illegal.

He hated business as a work of inferior nature. According to him, traders


and brokers become rich by making money by cheating their neighbors.
He did not approve the system of hiring workers in return for wages.

He described the taking of interest on money as unjust and unrealistic.

He commented that any use of currency other than exchange is


unusual.

According to him, keeping wealth and misusing it are both unforgivable


crimes.

Wealth acquired by human beings should be spent on noble deeds and


welfare of others. A person who spends money for his personal pleasure
and happiness is unworthy of respect.

According to him, resources should be spent for moral, mental and


physical excellence individually and collectively.

Principle of Abolish the Property: Aristotle, in discussing his theory of


property, called Plato's idea of ​eviction erroneous and unrealistic
because, Plato supported the eviction of property to establish
communism. So Aristotle rejected Plato's communism in his theory of
property.

According to Aristotle, property is a type of thing that cannot be evicted


at all. The need for resources to sustain normal human life is undeniable.
The eviction of property will create a tendency for people to share more
and the unity of the state will be disrupted. Therefore, Aristotle did not
blame property for the disunity of the state but rather the quarrelsome
character of man because the equitable distribution of wealth is not
possible through human instincts.
Conclusion: Finally, Aristotle's theory of property influenced medieval
political science. John Locke's later opinion of the property bears a
striking resemblance to that of Aristotle. That is, John Locke's property
theory emanates from this source.

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