Talk at Bogazici: Manuel Knoll (Fatih) on “Who Should Rule? Aristotle’s Theory of Constitutions.’ 1/03/2013

Manuel Knoll (Fatih) will give a talk on Friday 1/03/2013 at Bogazici University, TB130, 5-7pm. Everyone welcome!

“Who Should Rule? Aristotle’s Theory of Constitutions”

ABSTRACT: According to Aristotle’s theory, kingship, aristocracy and polity (politeia) are good constitutions. In all of them the rulers govern for the common good and not for their personal advantage. However, among scholars it is disputed which of these three constitutions Aristotle prefers, and how his outline of the best constitution is to be understood. The talk introduces this controversy and argues that Aristotle’s political preference is an aristocracy in which the morally and intellectually best citizens rule. It concludes with some reflections on whether such a constitution could serve as a model to reform contemporary democracies.