What did Aristotle say about law?
Asked by: Dejon Cummings | Last update: February 1, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (63 votes)
Aristotle viewed law as "reason free from passion," emphasizing it as essential for a good state, preferring rule by law over rule by any single person, even a virtuous one, because laws provide impartial, consistent guidance. He believed good laws cultivate civic virtue, guiding citizens toward the "good life," but acknowledged laws' limitations and the need for equitable discretion (equity) to address unique circumstances not covered by general rules, linking law to reason and the common good.
What does Aristotle say about law and justice?
Aristotle says justice consists in what is lawful and fair, with fairness involving equitable distributions and the correction of what is inequitable.
What is Aristotle's rule of law?
The phrase "rule of law" was further popularized in the 19th century by British jurist A. V. Dicey. However, the principle, if not the phrase itself, was recognized by ancient thinkers. Aristotle wrote: "It is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens."
What is a famous quote about the law?
“The law must have the last word.” “The study of law is sublime, and its practice vulgar.” “No man is above the law and no man below it.” “Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole humanity.
What did Plato say about laws?
Yet, Plato took his most original idea to be that law should combine persuasion with compulsion. In order to persuade citizens to follow the legal code, every law has a prelude that offers reasons why it is in one's interest to obey.
Aristotle & Virtue Theory: Crash Course Philosophy #38
What does Socrates say about obeying the law?
Socrates´ thought of justice and obedience to laws is motivated by a will to avoid the destructive effects of Sophistic criticisms and theories of laws. He thus requires-against theories of natural law-an almost absolute obedience to the law, as far as this law respects the legal system of the city.
What did Aristotle say about democracy?
HANS J. MORGENTHAU: Aristotle argues that of all the types of rule, perhaps the rule of the many, democracy, is the best. He argues that the many, when they meet together collectively, can surpass in quality the few.
What is the Roman law quote?
This is one of the three fundamental principles of roman law, written by Ulpian as it follows: „Iurus praecepta sunt haec: honeste vivere, neminem laedere, suum cuique tribuere” which translates „The basic principles of law are: to live honorably, not to harm any other person, to render each his own”.
What was Ruth Ginsburg's famous quote?
“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
What was Helen Keller's most famous quote?
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.
What is Aristotle's most famous quote?
Top 25 Aristotle Quotes on Virtue, Knowledge, and Happiness
- “We are what we repeatedly do. ...
- “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” ...
- “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” ...
- “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” ...
- “He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”
How does Thomas Aquinas define law?
Aquinas defines law as "an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community, and promulgated."' The four articles of question 90 of the First Part of the Second Part of the Summa theologiae provide a clear exposition of the reasoning behind this definition.
What is the philosophy of law?
Philosophy of law, also known as legal philosophy or jurisprudence, is a branch of philosophy that investigates fundamental questions concerning law and legal systems. It encompasses a wide range of inquiries, exploring the nature of law, its ethical foundations, and the principles that guide legal systems.
What is Aristotle's definition of law?
Law, Aristotle said, is “a sort of order” and thus provides a comprehensive framework of rules and institutions through which a society is constituted.
What did Plato say about justice?
Plato says that justice is not mere strength, but it is a harmonious strength. Justice is not the right of the stronger but the effective harmony of the whole. All moral conceptions revolve about the good of the whole-individual as well as social.
What are the three laws of Aristotle?
There are three laws upon which all logic is based, and they're attributed to Aristotle. These laws are the law of identity, law of non-contradiction, and law of the excluded middle.
Did Ruth Bader Ginsburg support LGBTQ?
Yes, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, consistently voting for equality, joining landmark majority opinions like Obergefell v. Hodges (marriage equality) and Bostock v. Clayton County (employment discrimination), and even officiating same-sex weddings, viewing LGBTQ+ equality as a natural extension of her lifelong fight for gender equality.
What is the most famous quote about justice?
Top 7 Best Justice Quotes:
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." "Since when do you have to agree with people to defend them from injustice?" "If it were not for injustice, man would not know justice."
What was Martin Ginsburg's religion?
Ginsburg was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on June 10, 1932, to Evelyn (née Bayer) and Morris Ginsburg, a department store executive. He grew up in Rockville Centre on Long Island, where he attended South Side High School. His family was Jewish.
What did Jesus say about Roman law?
Jesus' attitude to Roman rule was: 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's' (Mark 12:13–17). He did, however, tell Pilate, 'You would have no authority over me at all if it was not given you from above' (John 19:11).
What was Julius Caesar's famous quote?
The most famous Caesar quote is "Veni, vidi, vici" ("I came, I saw, I conquered"), said after a swift victory at the Battle of Zela. Other well-known quotes include "Et tu, Brute?" (uttered as he was assassinated), "The die is cast," and "Cowards die many times before their deaths".
What is the ancient code of law?
The Code of Hammurabi was one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes and was proclaimed by the Babylonian king Hammurabi, who reigned from 1792 to 1750 B.C. Hammurabi expanded the city-state of Babylon along the Euphrates River to unite all of southern Mesopotamia.
What was Aristotle's most famous quote?
“Education is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” ~ Aristotle “All knowledge should be subject to examination and reason.” ~Aristotle “Man is a political being.” ~Aristotle “We are what we do repeatedly. Separate him from law and justice and he is the worst.”
What is Plato's famous quote about democracy?
“So tyranny naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny out of the most extreme form of liberty? (Plato's Republic, 380-350 B.C.) With apparent declining interest in my concerns about our democracy, in this post, I defer to Plato. John I.
What is the best constitution according to Aristotle?
Aristotle states that 'there is only one constitution which is everywhere according to nature the best. ' This constitution (Aristotle's version of utopia) is unqualifiedly just and 'according to nature' because it promotes the common advantage (or public interest).