In this paper I examine love of beauty (φιλοκαλία) in Aristotle’s thought, and suggest that he treats it as an emotion (πάθος) able to develop and strengthen good moral habits. I propose that Aristotle appeals to the love of beauty of some of his addressees – namely, those who are particularly sensitive to the “aesthetic” aspect of politics – to persuade them about the appropriateness of political measures which, if taken at a face value, might not appear ethically sound. After a preliminary discussion of the power of emotions to shape virtuous conditions of the soul, I briefly address the issue of the main properties of beauty: order, proportion and definiteness. Finally, I introduce the issue of ostracism discussed in Book III of the Politics and present it as a paradigmatic case of a political procedure which can be justified on grounds not only of common utility, but also of beauty.
Love of Beauty in Aristotle’s Politics. The case of Ostracism / Irrera, E. - In: LO SGUARDO. - ISSN 2036-6558. - ELETTRONICO. - 27:2(2018), pp. 29-47. [10.5281/zenodo.3462186]
Love of Beauty in Aristotle’s Politics. The case of Ostracism
Irrera, E
2018
Abstract
In this paper I examine love of beauty (φιλοκαλία) in Aristotle’s thought, and suggest that he treats it as an emotion (πάθος) able to develop and strengthen good moral habits. I propose that Aristotle appeals to the love of beauty of some of his addressees – namely, those who are particularly sensitive to the “aesthetic” aspect of politics – to persuade them about the appropriateness of political measures which, if taken at a face value, might not appear ethically sound. After a preliminary discussion of the power of emotions to shape virtuous conditions of the soul, I briefly address the issue of the main properties of beauty: order, proportion and definiteness. Finally, I introduce the issue of ostracism discussed in Book III of the Politics and present it as a paradigmatic case of a political procedure which can be justified on grounds not only of common utility, but also of beauty.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.