Compare Aristotle and Locke on private property. How are their views similar? different?

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Compare Aristotle and Locke on private property.  How are their views similar? different?

John Locke and Aristotle agree that the issue of private property is one of numerous intricacies. However, the philosophers draw dissimilar conclusions on how the earth’s land should be divided amongst people. While John Locke believed in a more individualistic approach to property ownership, Aristotle believed more firmly in a communal approach. Moreover, the two philosophers disagree on many other issues regarding property ownership, including acquirement, maintenance, and divine intervention. However there are indeed some issues regarding property rights where the two thinkers converge, particularly the issue of equity. To understand the dichotomy between John Locke and Aristotle it is best to first comprehend their respective views on property rights individually and thusly compare and contrast their thoughts.

        Aristotle’s view on the issue of private property can be best understood in relation to the overall characterization of his thoughts. Aristotle believed that the individual was most important when discussing society as a whole. More specifically, Aristotle believed that the individual is dependant on society and vice-versa. Aristotle believed that happiness in life was achieved through public participation in society, mainly politics.  Aristotle fervently believed that practical reasoning guides moral virtues by humans.  Aristotle claims that humans need to find a middle ground in any situation regarding virtuousness. The Aristotelian justification for the ownership of private property is explained as, “virtuous citizen should be an owner of property” in order to best serve the larger community. In this respect, Aristotle says man needs to find the mean between extravagance and stinginess in land ownership as in any other human practice. Aristotle speculates on how much land or possessions a man should truly have; he believes man needs to find the mean between extravagance and stinginess for all situations in life. Property should not simply be something that is endlessly pursued, and a medium needs to be developed in society to ensure that this happens. Aristotle speculates on how much land or possessions a man should truly have in stating that even the most politically powerful in society should find the “mean” he speaks of. In this respect he justifies that finding the mean in property ownership is similar to finding virtuousness. This is deduced in understanding that those who are politically powerful are also virtuous. However this should not be viewed as a mandate, merely Aristotle believes this is the best course of living. Aristotle states that in order to “live the good life” one must have a certain amount of wealth and possessions. Therefore Aristotle finds a certain, yet ambiguous mean that citizens should abide by in order to be virtuous.

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Aristotle claims that land ownership should indeed be private but available for “common-use.” More specifically, Aristotle claims that no one person’s property should be closed off to other people in society. Everyone’s private land is thus open to public tilling and leisure. However, Aristotle does claim that there are some fundamental flaws with this plan. Specifically, he says that many people will have the tendency to take advantage of the benevolent communal style of property ownership. This “free-rider” tendency does indeed undermine Aristotle’s argument that his community is most virtuous. A “tragedy of the commons” situation could develop in this ...

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