An analysis on Philippine Issues: the politics and

government
Aristotles Philosophy
Aristotles Philosophy on governance has always been considered as
one of the most influential literary pieces in the history of political
philosophy. His studies were primarily determination of truth by active
practical observations and analysis of the relationships between family
members, primitive groups, villages, and the various communities that form
the State. Aristotles Philosophies laid down the central ideas of Educational
theory and Moral Virtues that aspire citizens to create a richer and fuller life.
Further, His ideas on governance present the how and what of
cooperative relationships between the rulers and ruled and postulated what
makes good government and what makes bad government. He then afforded
emphasis on the moral virtues of a good man to possess the best possible
qualities that would serve the best interests of all.
As regards to the establishment of social relations among members of
the communities, Aristotle asserted that all individuals actually aspire for the
highest good. However, differing virtues and rationalities of individuals could
lead to-- factions, social conflicts and even injustices. In governance, he
argued that every man has his unique method and competence in dealing
with the political, economic and social challenges.

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These differences of human rationalities and moral virtues would

tantamount to situations of immense inequality and competition-- the ruling
of one or few individuals over the other; or slavery to some extent. Aristotle
believed that the injustices are more likely to rise if only the chosen few
individuals are allowed to adjudicate the justice system in the society.
Therefore, all citizens should share and participate in the communal
decisions to practice the democratic principles of equality in a strict sense.
Aristotles idea on Politics and Ethics are by all odds the foreground in
understanding the notionA good state is made up of a well- organized
individuals. Man should therefore mold himself and develop his moral
virtues, rational thought and understanding. Character growth is an
accomplishment of a happy and flourishing life that will also lead to a welldeveloped Nation. Aristotle believed that every human has the capability of
reason, thus all human communities should be educated. They should also
cultivate their minds for the pursuit equality and to tone down aggressive
factions and tensions between opposing individuals. And to achieve the best
interests for everyone, education must include intellectual maturation and
moral development such as self-discipline, pursuit of reason and cultivation
of power or control which are very crucial in every decision-making
processes and political interaction among the members of the community.
These things would help the citizens in the search for the good and
progressive political life. To this extent, he believed that education and
virtues should be transmitted from generation to generation.
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In addition, Aristotle claimed that a mode or system of rule should look

for the common advantage. It should not look for the advantage of the rulers
alone but for all the citizens so that justice will exist for the sake of the living.
The correct systems of rule are those that lessen factional conflicts to
achieve political stability; it is best to form a regime with a mixture of good
leadership and strong democratic participations in a polity. A well-mixed
polity will reinforce not only the best interest of the ruling class but also the
ruled as well.4 Moreover, Aristotle argued that the middle class in the society
is one important element that would moderate and stabilize the polity
because they are most ready to follow rational principle. They also make the
best legislators because they can act between the very poor and rich with a
view to reconciling their differences.
The Philippine Government
Aristotle states that the politician and lawgiver is wholly occupied with
the city-state, and the constitution is a certain way of organizing those who
inhabit the city-state
In this quotation, the Philippine government which is democratic is
practicing this as a requirement to be a Politian. The candidate needed to be
a resident of the country for at least ten years or born naturally by Filipino
parent in this country to be qualified to rule and serve its citizens. Through
this creating a constitution will act as to give organization and to have a well

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living community. In the country it is well observed and practiced which is

good that the Filipino citizens itself has the right to serve its inhabitant.
The male is by nature more capable of leadership than the female,
unless he is constituted in some way contrary to nature, and the elder and
perfect [is by nature more capable of leadership] than the younger and
imperfect
In the Philippines, the Politian is mostly dominated by male. It is
because of the marital and paternal differences is been observed. The male
as a person is seen and expected to be always a though, brave, strong and
intelligent ones. This universal point of view affects the government rule
which is obviously observed in this country. The perception of the people of
dominant male rulers have been changed through times, there are already
female Politian when the time that they have been given the right to be a
elected at the highest position of the country. The perception of the people in
this aspect is now being equated between the capacity and experience of the
Politian and not to be just emphasizing to the gender.
Constitutions which aim at the common advantage are correct and
just without qualification, whereas those which aim only at the advantage of
the rulers are deviant and unjust, because they involve despotic rule which is
inappropriate for a community of free persons
Aristotle believed in this but the reality in the government, it is not
properly practiced by the rulers themselves. The transparency is blurred it is
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evident in the constitution that there are some unjust treatment in the
aspect of legal terms. The rulers make the law but they are the ones who
broke it which can be proven by the politicians who are guilty of corruption.
The Corruption and Poverty intermingled with those difficulties are mirrored
in the root of its factuality.
To reform a constitution is no less a task [of politics] than it is to
establish one from the beginning, and in this way the politician should also
help existing constitutions
The constitution is needed to be preceded even though the regime has
changed. It doesnt mean that if the replaced Politian is not in your party, the
constitution will be changed and not to be supported. It is a duty to do aim
the good for the good of everyone. The best constitution still serves as a
regulative ideal by which to evaluate existing systems.

References
Miller, Fred, "Aristotle's Political Theory", The Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy (Fall 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL =
<http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2012/entries/aristotle-politics/>.

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Lise Paul D. Abitona

PA 203 Transcendental Analysis of Strategic Thinking and Governance
Instructor: Anatoly Karpov Buss
February 7, 2014
https://www.academia.edu/5977572/Aristotelian_Philosophy_in_the_Context_
of_Philippine_Governance

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