Book 10 / Chapter 9
Paragraph 4 - The Role of Legislators in Promoting Virtue
Explanation - Part By Part
"This is why some think that legislators ought to stimulate men to virtue and urge them forward by the motive of the noble, on the assumption that those who have been well advanced by the formation of habits will attend to such influences;"
Aristotle is discussing how laws and governance can play a role in shaping people’s moral character. He presents an idea that some believe legislators (those who make the laws) should encourage people to act virtuously by appealing to their sense of the noble—that is, their desire to aim for what is honorable, admirable, and morally good. This approach assumes that people who have already been raised with good habits, who are used to choosing the right thing, will respond positively to this kind of noble motivation and strive to live virtuously.
"and that punishments and penalties should be imposed on those who disobey and are of inferior nature, while the incurably bad should be completely banished."
This part is discussing the idea that society should impose punishments and penalties on people who disobey laws or fail to seek virtue, labeling such individuals as "of inferior nature." For those considered "incurably bad"—people who are seen as beyond redemption or unwilling to change—the text suggests they should be completely removed (or "banished") from the community. The reasoning behind this is that some individuals are thought to be incapable of moral improvement or of contributing constructively to society, and their presence might disrupt the larger goal of cultivating virtue within the community.
Aristotle is exploring a perspective from his time that views some forms of behavior and character as so destructive or unchangeable that the only solution is separation from society. While the idea of "banishment" sounds harsh by modern standards, it reflects the assumption that maintaining the moral fabric of the community takes precedence over rehabilitating individuals who seem unlikely to change. It’s important to note that this reflects a specific ethical framework, not a universal truth or modern standard.
"A good man (they think), since he lives with his mind fixed on what is noble, will submit to argument, while a bad man, whose desire is for pleasure, is corrected by pain like a beast of burden."
Aristotle is saying that a "good" person—someone who prioritizes noble, virtuous goals—can be guided by reason and persuasion. This is because their mindset is already aligned with ideas of what is morally right and honorable. On the other hand, a "bad" person, who is dominated by the pursuit of selfish pleasures, cannot be reasoned with in the same way. For them, pain and punishment—forms of external discipline—are necessary to correct their behavior, much like how animals are trained or controlled. In essence, this highlights the difference in how different types of people respond to guidance: the virtuous listen to reason, while the self-indulgent require harsher measures.
"This is, too, why they say the pains inflicted should be those that are most opposed to the pleasures such men love."
Aristotle is explaining here a particular view on how to correct the behavior of people who are inclined toward vice or bad conduct. The idea is that punishment should be designed in a way that directly counters the pleasures these individuals are drawn to. For example, if someone loves indulging in excessive luxury or wealth, the punishment might involve depriving them of those very things. The reasoning is that this contrast—the pain of losing what they love most—might be the most effective way to steer them away from destructive habits. Essentially, it's about targeting the source of their corruption or moral weakness to achieve a more profound corrective effect.