Book 8 / Chapter 11
Paragraph 3 - Friendship and Justice in Political Systems
Explanation - Part By Part
"But in the deviation-forms, as justice hardly exists, so too does friendship. It exists least in the worst form; in tyranny there is little or no friendship."
Aristotle is pointing out that in corrupt or "deviant" forms of government (those that deviate from what he sees as ideal governance), both justice and friendship are nearly absent because these systems lack mutual respect and shared values. Tyranny, which he describes as the worst form of governance, has virtually no friendship because the dynamic between the ruler and the ruled is entirely one-sided—there’s no equality, no shared interests, and no trust. In such an oppressive system, relationships are based on power and fear rather than mutual recognition or goodwill.
"For where there is nothing common to ruler and ruled, there is not friendship either, since there is not justice; e.g. between craftsman and tool, soul and body, master and slave; the latter in each case is benefited by that which uses it, but there is no friendship nor justice towards lifeless things."
Aristotle is essentially saying that friendship and justice can only exist when there is something shared or something in common between the people involved. If one party completely dominates or controls the other—like a craftsman controlling a tool, a soul controlling a body, or a master controlling a slave—then a true relationship of mutual respect or equality simply isn’t possible. These relationships are hierarchical, with the dominant party benefiting from the other, but there’s no deeper connection, shared understanding, or fairness (which is what justice and friendship require). Just as no one forms a genuine friendship with a hammer or has justice towards a lifeless object, similar dynamics apply in such relationships.
"But neither is there friendship towards a horse or an ox, nor to a slave qua slave. For there is nothing common to the two parties; the slave is a living tool and the tool a lifeless slave. Qua slave then, one cannot be friends with him."
In this part, Aristotle is making a distinction about the nature of relationships and how they are based on mutuality or shared interests. He argues that friendship requires some kind of common ground or shared humanity. When he says "qua slave," meaning "in the capacity of being a slave," he is emphasizing that a slave is seen (in his time) primarily as a tool or instrument for work, much like a lifeless object like a hammer or plow. Since there is "nothing in common" between the master and the slave in this role—no shared experience, equality, or mutual respect—friendship cannot exist in these conditions.
This reflects the hierarchical worldview Aristotle held at the time, where slaves were treated more like possessions than people with intrinsic dignity. It's important to note that such views are profoundly outdated and rejected in modern ethics and human rights, as we now recognize the inherent value of every person.
"But qua man one can; for there seems to be some justice between any man and any other who can share in a system of law or be a party to an agreement; therefore there can also be friendship with him in so far as he is a man."
Aristotle is saying that while you cannot truly be friends with someone in their role as a slave (because that role is treated as an instrument or tool, which lacks equality or shared purpose), you can view them as a human being (qua man). When you see another person simply as a fellow human who is capable of participating in laws, agreements, and relationships, a certain level of justice and friendship becomes possible. Friendship depends on mutual recognition of some kind of shared humanity or equality, and even someone in a subordinate position, like a slave, can be seen through this lens as a person deserving of justice and potential friendship.
"Therefore while in tyrannies friendship and justice hardly exist, in democracies they exist more fully; for where the citizens are equal they have much in common."
Aristotle is highlighting the relationship between equality and the presence of both justice and friendship in societies. In tyrannies, where there is a huge imbalance of power and little in common between the ruler and the ruled, friendship and justice are nearly absent. In contrast, democracies—where citizens are more equal and share common interests, rights, and responsibilities—provide fertile ground for both friendship and justice to thrive. Equality fosters mutual respect and understanding, making it easier for people to form bonds and treat one another fairly.