1. Man is by Nature a Political Animal
Citizenship: Introduction to Politics

2. About the Unit
In the Introduction to Politics Unit we will be exploring the following questions:
Why do we have a government?
What are conservative politics?
What are liberal politics?

3. Purpose of Life According to Aristotle:
The purpose of our lives is to lead a “good life” (basic needs met, happy, etc.)
People come together to form households, households come together to make up villages and cities, cities come together to make up states, and nations.
If organized intelligently our cities, states, and nations in order to promote living “good lives.”

4. Aristotle The Good Life Ancient Greek Philosopher Basic Needs Met
People are organized into Households
Aristotle
The Good Life
Household are organized into cities, states, and nations
Basic Needs Met
(Food, Clothing, Shelter)
Happy in the company of
family and friends :)
Ancient Greek
Philosopher
If organized intelligently cities, states, and nations can promote living “good lives.”

5. Man is by Nature a Political Animal
According to Aristotle:
Living in a society organized intelligently, such as a city, state, or nation, is what makes us human.
Anybody who lives outside the city- state is either a beast or a god.
Therefore, man is a political animal.

6. Man is a political animal Living in Society
Living outside
of Society
Man is a political animal
Living in Society
Living in an organized society (being political) is what makes us human
Only bests and gods
live outside of society

7. Summary According to Aristotle:
The purpose of life is to lead a “good life” (basic needs met, be happy, etc.) If people organize themselves intelligently they can promote living the “good life.”
Organizing themselves intelligently (being political) is unique to humans, therefore man is by nature a political animal.