Justice and moderation in the state: Aristotle and beyond

Abstract

In this chapter I aim to analyze Aristotle is account of political justice (to politikon dikaion) in both the Nicomachean Ethics and the Politics, 1 since it is these accounts that are most relevant to his advocacy of moderation and mixed constitution, and I aim to show how justice (dikaiosun.) and equality (isotes) are crucial for the promotion of the common interest (to koin. symferon) of the state (polis). In addition, I explore the connection made between justice (dikaiosune; aplos or politikon dikaion), equality (isotes), democracy (demokratia), liberty (eleutheria), and friendship (philia), and attempt to further excavate Aristotletfs conception of political justice (to politikon dikaion) and moderation in the polis. We will see how this bears on questions in contemporary political philosophy concerning the role of justice as the most fundamental virtue for society, and as an institution that serves to fix the limits of human conduct and to lay down the principles specifying the just distribution of benefits and burdens in a democratic society of equals.