ARISTOTLE'S THEORY OF JUSTICE AND ARISTOTLE'S VIEW ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

ARISTOTLE'S THEORY OF JUSTICE

 

 Like Plato, Aristotle also believed that justice is the essence of the State. It is the foundation of the State. which is essential for stability.
For Plato Justice is a virtue, but for Aristotle Justice is more than virtue; in fact virtue in action i.e. virtue in practice. Reason is a virtue but reasonable and rational conduct is justice. Truth is a virtue but truthfulness is justice.
 Further, Aristotle also classified justice into two parts:-

1. Distributive Justice: it is essentially related to the distribution of honors rewards and functions. However, the distribution is not based on absolute equality. Here the Aristotle is in the opinion of following proportional equality i.e.that is distribution of honor, rewards and function must be done on the basis of talent. For this Aristotle advocates the principle of "equals should be treated equally and unequal should be treated unequally".
2. Corrective or remedial Justice: it is essentially related to the award of punishment for the violation of the law. Here Aristotle is in favor of following absolute equality. Everyone in society should be punished equally for the violation of the law. Through this justice life, honor, property, and security of individuals are ensured.

 Thus we can finally conclude that remedial justice is delivered irrespective of merit and status. Thus. It is based on absolute equality.

 Criticism of Aristotle's Justice

Aristotle's concept of justice is criticized by the supporters of affirmative actions or positive discrimination, they mainly criticize his concept of distributive Justice because it is completely base on "Merit".
When Aristotle says "treating equals, equally and unequal, unequally, he is trying to say that the State should discriminate among the individuals on the basis of their merit. He opined that masters and slaves can't be treated equally. If the State does so, it will inculcate the feeling of injustice with hin master class, which finally results in revolution.
Hence, Aristotle is a supporter of a meritocratic society. Merit can be one criterion of justice, however, it can't be the sole criteria of justice.
 Thus. thinkers like John Rawls discarded Aristotle's concept of justice, for Rawls Justice is fairness.

Comparison of the notion of justice As given by Plato and Aristotle:

Plato's justice is the performance of one's duty to the best of one's abilities and capacities. For Aristotle, justice is the reward in proportion to what one contributes.
Plato's justice is related to duties; it is duties-oriented whereas Aristotle's justice is related to rights; it is rights-oriented.
Plato's theory of justice is moral and philosophical and that of Aristotle is legal.
Both had a conception of distributive justice. Foreplay to, that meant individual excellence and performance of one's duty while for Aristotle it meant what people deserve, the right to receive.
Plato's justice is spiritual whereas Aristotle's justice is practical that is it is virtue in action, goodness in practice.
Plato's justice is related to one's inner self that is what comes straight from the soul. Aristotle's justice is related to man's action that is with his external activities.

ARISTOTLE'S VIEW ON PRIVATE PROPERTY

Aristotle was a critique of Plato's view on property. Aristotle did not support the idea of communism of property. He has drawn his views on the property while he was criticizing Plato's views on property.

1. Private property for Aristotle is not evil and in fact, it is a source of motivation. Plato has mistakenly ignored the good aspects of private property.
2. Private property provides evidence and recognition of the efforts of a person. 
3. Those who have property have more concern about the stability and order in the political system since they stand to lose most in scenarios of chaos and revolution.
4. Property leads to the possibility of charity.

Aristotle also classified the Property into two:

1. Animate: Slaves and Animals
2. Inanimate: Lifeless things like land, money, tools, etc

• Aristotle also claimed that Plato has failed to make a balance between production and distribution in society. Thus to balance the production and distribution he gave four models to own and use the property.

a) Individual Ownership and Individual use: For Aristotle, this is the most dangerous situation because of three reasons: 

•  It will lead to corruption. It can result in the concentration of wealth.
•  It can become the root cause of revolution.

b) Common ownership and individual use: according to Aristotle it is illogical in practice and in case it exists, it will be very exploitative.

•   It will lead to conflict and factionalism.
•   It can destroy basic fabric of the society i.e. cooperation and harmony.

c) Common ownership and common use: according to Aristotle everyone's property is no one's responsibility, thus it is an impractical scheme.

d) Individual Ownership and Common use: Aristotle supports this scheme, on the principle of the golden mean.

 Benefits of Individual Ownership: 

• More productive
• Source of motivation to work hard.
• Men of property are men of reason, so it is good for the stability of the State.
• It is the source of generosity and charity.

 Benefits of Common use:

• Minimize concentration of Wealth which develops jealousy of poor towards rich. I
• Thus it is good for social stability.

By supporting the. Individual ownership and common use, Aristotle is in favor of private property; however, he put some restrictions on the way or methods of earning property.

a) Property must be earned through honest means i.e. one should not violate the laws for earning the property.
b) He is against the concept of charging the interest, for Aristotle, it is the most unnatural means of acquiring proper.
c) He identified agricultural practice and general trade and services within the State as best way of acquiring property.
d) He is not in favor of earning wealth through Inter-State trade.
e) He is against piling or acquiring huge wealth, according to him, it is gross as an error as to make hammer too heavy.

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