The politics by Aristotle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The politics by Aristotle - Essay Example In discussing the concept of the slave, Aristotle makes a clear distinction between those individuals who are considered slaves as a result of one nation conquering another and those who ‘natural slaves.’ Physically, Aristotle says the slave is constructed in such a way as to make him suitable for the tasks required by manual labor while the master is given a more upright carriage suitable for military life, other civic duties and managerial occupations. However, Aristotle recognizes many intellectual and spiritual differences between the master and the slave as well, making it possible for those naturally built to be slaves to have the spirit of a master and those built to be masters to have the spirits of slaves. After describing what is meant by the ‘natural slave’ and distinguishing him from the common animals, Aristotle goes on to distinguish what separates the slave from the master.To place the discussion in context, Aristotle first defines what the sl ave is within the greater society, â€Å"the slave is an animate article of property; and that subordinates, or servants, in general may be described as instruments which must first be present before other, and inanimate, instruments can be used† (Aristotle, 9-10). Within this description, the slave becomes an instrument of action essential for the functions of daily life within the household, not only serving the master, but â€Å"also belongs entirely to him, [and has no life or being other than that of so belonging]†