Aristotle on Democracy and Government

Aristotle on Democracy and Government Aristotle, one of the greatest philosophers of all time, a teacher of world leader Alexander the Great, and a prolific writer on a variety of subjects we might not think related to philosophy, provides important information on ancient politics. He distinguishes between good and bad forms of ruling in all the basic systems; thus there are good and bad forms of the rule by one (mon-archy), a few (olig-archy, arist-ocracy), or many (dem-ocracy). All Government Types Have a Negative Form For Aristotle, democracy is not the best form of government. As is also true of oligarchy and monarchy, rule in a democracy is for and by the people named in the government type. In a democracy, rule is by and for the needy. In contrast, rule of law or aristocracy (literally, power [rule] of the best) or even monarchy, where the ruler has the interest of his country at heart, are better types of government. Best Fit to Rule Government, Aristotle says, should be by those people with enough time on their hands to pursue virtue. This is a far cry from the current U.S. drive towards campaign financing laws designed to make the political life available even to those without well-endowed fathers. It is also very different from the modern career politician who derives his wealth at the expense of the citizenry. Aristotle thinks rulers should be propertied and leisured, so, without other worries, they can invest their time in producing virtue. Laborers are too busy. Book III - But the citizen whom we are seeking to define is a citizen in the strictest sense, against whom no such exception can be taken, and his special characteristic is that he shares in the administration of justice, and in offices. He who has the power to take part in the deliberative or judicial administration of any state is said by us to be a citizens of that state; and, speaking generally, a state is a body of citizens sufficing for the purposes of life.... For tyranny is a kind of monarchy which has in view the interest of the monarch only; oligarchy has in view the interest of the wealthy; democracy, of the needy: none of them the common good of all. Tyranny, as I was saying, is monarchy exercising the rule of a master over the political society; oligarchy is when men of property have the government in their hands; democracy, the opposite, when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers. Book VII The citizens must not lead the life of mechanics or tradesmen, for such a life is ignoble, and inimical to virtue. Neither must they be farmers, since leisure is necessary both for the development of virtue and the performance of political duties. Sources Aristotle PoliticsFeatures on Democracy in Ancient Greece and the Rise of DemocracyAncient Writers on Democracy AristotleThucydides via Pericles Funeral OrationIsocratesHerodotus Compares Democracy With Oligarchy and MonarchyPseudo-Xenophon

English for Medical Purposes

English for Medical Purposes Pain that comes and goes might be chronic pain, or it might be just be something that indicates another condition. This dialogue might take place during a routine checkup, or perhaps during a trip to the emergency room, or urgent care. In all cases, doctors will often ask how strong the pain is on a scale of one to ten, as well as any activity that may have caused the pain to take place.   Pain that Comes and Goes Doctor: How long have you been having this pain?Patient: It started in June. So for more than five months now. My stomach hurts after some meals, but not always. Doctor: You should have come in earlier. Lets get to the bottom of this. Have you changed your eating habits during this period?Patient: No, not really. Well, thats not true. Im eating the same foods, but less. You know, the pain seems to come and go. Doctor: How strong is the pain exactly? On a scale of one to ten, how would you describe the intensity of the pain?Patient: Well, Id say the pain is about a two on a scale of one to ten. Like I say, its not really bad. It just keeps coming back... Doctor: How long does the pain last when you get it?Patient: It comes and goes. Sometimes, I hardly feel anything. Other times, it can last up to half an hour or more. Doctor: Is there a type of food that seems to cause stronger pain than other types?Patient: Hmmm ... heavy foods like steak or lasagna usually brings it on. Ive been trying to avoid those. Doctor: Does the pain travel to any other parts of your body - chest, shoulder or back? Or does it remain around the stomach area.Patient: No, it just hurts here. Doctor: What about if I touch here? Does it hurt there?  Patient: Ouch! Yesa, it hurts there. What do you think it is doctor? Doctor: Im not sure. I think we should take some x-rays to find out if youve broken anything.  Patient: Will that be expensive? Doctor: I dont think so. Youre insurance should cover routine x-rays. Key Vocabulary backbrokenchesteating habitsheavy foodsinsuranceon a scale of one to tenpainshoulderstomachto avoidto come and goto cover somethingto get to the bottom of somethingto hurtto keep coming backto last (an amount of time)x-rays Check your understanding with this multiple choice comprehension quiz. More English for Medical Purposes Dialogues Troubling Symptoms - Doctor and PatientJoint Pain - Doctor and PatientA Physical Examination - Doctor and PatientA Prescription - Doctor, and PatientFeeling Queasy - Nurse and PatientHelping a Patient - Nurse and PatientPatient Details - Administration Staff and Patient More Dialogue Practice - Includes level and target structures/language functions for each dialogue.