Estrangement Political Philosophy and Good Life Essay

Blake Lewis Professor Eskandari Political Science 132 December 5, 2005 Unessentially Estranged Chapter two of Glenn Tinders, Political Thinking: The Perennial Questions on estrangement and unity asks us whether we as humans are estranged in essence. This question really sets the tone for the rest of the book, because if humans are estranged then we would not be living together in societies, therefore not needing political science to answer such questions that deal with societies. As Tinder describes it, politics is the art of reconcilliation, and that the need for this art always arises from some kind of estrangement(23). Tinders point does not answer the question of whether or not we are truly estranged in essence, that†¦show more content†¦Perhaps we may say that there is an element of good even in mere living, provided that life is not excessively beset with troubles. Certainly most men, in their desire to keep alive, are prepared to face a great deal of suffering, as if finding in life itself a certain well-being and a natural sweetness . (Aristotle, Politics Book II) If man indeed is a political animal, and our commmon interest does bring us together in the hopes of having the good life or eudeamonia then it seems somewhat impossible be estranged in essence. For, by the deffinition aforementioned of being estranged man would not and certainly could not live together, and certainly not for institutions to keep those bonds strong. Afterall who in their right mind would enjoy or choose living in a state of hostility. Aristotle would almost certainly dissapprove of this version of nature. Living in a state of hostility for him would be almost a tyrannical form of life with fear as the tyrant itself. Since Aristotle ultimately approves of a Monarchy aiming at the common interest he admits that humans do suffer from feelings of estrangement but that a single outstanding man (or small group) can, through reason, render useless feelings of estrangement in a society by way of distributive justice. Meanwhile, Thomas Hobbes asserting his viewpoint of pr e-political man as a war, of every man against every man (Leviathan)Show MoreRelatedAnne Finchs Opposition to The Rape of the Lock Essay examples1412 Words   |  6 PagesAnne Finchs Opposition to The Rape of the Lock The Restoration Period (1660-1700) was a period of social, political and philosophical turmoil, which laid the foundation for future centuries. This period was marked by an advance in colonization and trade and by the birth of the Whig and Tory parties. In poetry, works of Alexander Pope and Anne Finch and a number of other poets distinguishes the Restoration. 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