Janet Coleman - Reflections on the Self Itself: in antiquity, the Middle Ages, and what happened next?

In 'Politics,' Aristotle examines the various forms of government and their strengths and weaknesses. He argues that the *polis*, or city-state, is the highest form of political association, and that humans are by nature political animals who can only achieve their full potential within such a community. Aristotle discusses different types of constitutions, including constitutional government, aristocracy, kingship, democracy, oligarchy, and tyranny, and evaluates them based on the principle of distributive justice. He also emphasizes the importance of a strong middle class, education, and the role of law in maintaining a stable and just society. The work is deeply rooted in Aristotle's teleological view of nature and his belief that the ultimate goal of human existence is happiness achieved through the exercise of reason and virtue.

De Officiis is a treatise by Marcus Tullius Cicero, divided into three books, which explores the concepts of honor, utility, and the conflict between virtue and private gain. It is heavily influenced by Stoic philosophy and provides guidance on how to live a virtuous life. The work discusses the four cardinal virtues—wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance—and their role in achieving moral excellence.

The Nicomachean Ethics is Aristotle's most renowned work on ethics, focusing on the science of the good for human life. The text is divided into ten books and discusses the concept of eudaimonia, often translated as 'happiness' or 'flourishing,' which is achieved through living a virtuous life. Aristotle argues that eudaimonia is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, emphasizing the importance of reason, moral virtues, and the pursuit of excellence. The work also explores the division of the soul, the role of rationality in human life, and the ultimate goal of human activity, which is to achieve happiness through virtuous actions and a complete life.

Published in 1651, 'Leviathan' by Thomas Hobbes is a comprehensive treatise on political philosophy. The book is divided into four main parts: 'Of Man,' 'Of Commonwealth,' 'Of a Christian Commonwealth,' and 'Of the Kingdom of Darkness. ' Hobbes argues that the natural state of humans is one of conflict and anarchy, and that the best way to achieve peace and security is through the establishment of a commonwealth governed by an absolute sovereign. This sovereign, which Hobbes terms the 'Leviathan,' has supreme authority over all aspects of governance, including law, religion, and public offices. Hobbes' work is a foundational text in social contract theory and continues to influence political thought to this day.