Aristotle's Politics Lesson Plan

For modern readers, the most troubling part of Politics is Aristotle's discussion of slaves. Why does he believe that some people should be slaves and some should not? Do you agree that people have natural qualities that allow them to rule or be ruled?

For Aristotle, this distinction is grounded in individual nature. Those who have the virtues of the ruling are best when they are allowed to rule. Those who have the virtues of being ruled, of being slaves, are happiest when being slaves. As students push back on this assumption, be sure that their arguments address Aristotle's specific claims about natural virtue.

In Book One of Politics, Aristotle makes a distinction...