Book 8 / Chapter 9
Paragraph 2 - The Purpose and Types of Communities
Explanation - Part By Part
"Now all forms of community are like parts of the political community; for men journey together with a view to some particular advantage, and to provide something that they need for the purposes of life; and it is for the sake of advantage that the political community too seems both to have come together originally and to endure, for this is what legislators aim at, and they call just that which is to the common advantage."
Aristotle is explaining that all types of human communities, no matter their specific purpose, can be seen as smaller parts of the broader political community. Each community forms because people come together to achieve certain goals or address specific needs that make life possible or better. In essence, people cooperate to gain something they cannot achieve alone.
For example, in forming a political community—a city or state—people originally came together and continue to stay together because it benefits everyone involved in some way. Legislators, or the people who govern and create laws, focus on this shared benefit, aiming to define "justice" as whatever serves the common good. The political community, then, exists to organize life around this shared advantage, ensuring survival and promoting general well-being.
This makes the political community a higher or more comprehensive form of cooperation compared to other, smaller communities. It is geared toward managing life as a whole, not just specific tasks or short-term benefits.
"Now the other communities aim at advantage bit by bit, e.g. sailors at what is advantageous on a voyage with a view to making money or something of the kind, fellow-soldiers at what is advantageous in war, whether it is wealth or victory or the taking of a city that they seek, and members of tribes and demes act similarly."
In this part, Aristotle is explaining how different types of communities or groups come together based on specific practical benefits they aim to achieve. For instance:
- Sailors work together during a voyage to achieve some advantage like making money or gaining a similar benefit.
- Fellow-soldiers unite for strategic goals in warfare, such as winning battles, capturing cities, or even gaining wealth.
- Members of tribes or small local communities (demes) form associations for similar reasons—they cooperate to achieve specific purposes that benefit the group.
This highlights that these smaller communities are influenced by a shared goal of practical advantage, which brings them together temporarily or for the sake of fulfilling a specific need. Relationships and associations within these groups, therefore, revolve around their mutual purpose rather than deeper connections.
"Some communities seem to arise for the sake or pleasure, viz. religious guilds and social clubs; for these exist respectively for the sake of offering sacrifice and of companionship."
Here, Aristotle observes that some communities form not out of necessity or practicality, but for the sake of shared enjoyment or pleasure. He provides examples like religious guilds, which exist to offer sacrifices and honor the gods, and social clubs, which are centered around companionship and leisure. These groups come together not to fulfill basic needs or mutual survival, but for joy, connection, and cultural or spiritual enrichment. This highlights the human tendency to seek out not just what is practical, but also what is fulfilling and pleasurable in life.
"But all these seem to fall under the political community; for it aims not at present advantage but at what is advantageous for life as a whole, offering sacrifices and arranging gatherings for the purpose, and assigning honours to the gods, and providing pleasant relaxations for themselves."
In this part, Aristotle is explaining that all smaller communities, such as religious groups, social clubs, or any gathering aimed at shared interests (sacrifices, companionship, celebrations) can be seen as part of a larger structure: the political community. This broader political community doesn’t just focus on short-term benefits, like making money on a voyage or winning a battle, as smaller associations might. Instead, it aims at what benefits life as a whole—it provides stability, meaning, and purpose for people over time.
For instance, organizing rituals, honoring gods, and planning communal activities like festivals doesn’t only serve immediate needs but fosters a deeper, shared sense of well-being, connection, and continuity for the entire society. These activities contribute to a way of life that promotes the greater good and collective flourishing of the community in the long run.
"For the ancient sacrifices and gatherings seem to take place after the harvest as a sort of firstfruits, because it was at these seasons that people had most leisure."
Aristotle is explaining that in ancient times, sacrifices and social gatherings often happened after the harvest season. This timing wasn't random—it made sense because it was after the hard work of harvesting crops, when people had more free time. These gatherings served as a way to celebrate and offer thanks, often as firstfruits—essentially, the first portion of the harvest set aside as a symbolic offering. It reflects the close connection between people's work, their religious or communal practices, and their leisure activities.
"All the communities, then, seem to be parts of the political community; and the particular kinds friendship will correspond to the particular kinds of community."
Aristotle is saying that all types of human associations or groups can be seen as smaller pieces of the larger society or political community. These various communities—whether they are formed for economic reasons, military purposes, religious acts, or social enjoyment—are all connected and contribute to the functioning of the overarching political society. Here's the key point: the specific types of friendship that develop between people will depend on the nature of the community they belong to. For example, the friendship among sailors working toward profit will be different from the bonds formed in a religious group focused on shared rituals or spiritual connection. The nature of the community shapes the nature of the relationships within it.