In the first eight chapters of Politics, Aristotle seems to have one primary goal in mind. This goal is to justify to everyone why the Greek society should be as he says. He gives examples of why certain people should be slaves, why some men are superior to others, how men are better than animals, and why Greeks as a whole are better than other people. According to Arnhart though, Aristotle may not have been sure of all the things he was arguing for, as he seemed to contradict himself from time to time.

In Chapter 1, Aristotle states that "every community is established for the sake of some good." He goes on to say that since city-states aim higher than other communities to involve all people, they are a political community. Also in this chapter, Aristotle differentiates between the positions of statesman, king, household manager, and master of slaves, which he refers to throughout Book 1. He concludes this chapter by stating how to examine what he says in order for it to make sense. This method seems to be reductionalism.

Chapter 2 is when Aristotle first compares people to animals, and stat

Chapter 4 deals with property acquisition and differentiates between different kinds of property. A piece of property that is used as a tool is for production, whereas an actual piece of property is used for action. Aristotle further justifies slavery here by stating that a slave is a piece of property, and a tool to be used by his master.

In Chapter 6, Aristotle again speaks of many contradictions between the justness and unjustness of slavery. Some people are slaves as a result of law, which comes about by force, which Aristotle earlier said was unjust. However, force is used in war, and if it wins out it must have some good quality, and therefore has virtue. If a war is started unjustly, however, then there is another problem. Aristotle rationalizes this by saying that no one would want someone to be a slave if they did not deserve to be. He compares this to those of noble birth who may be born where their nobility is not recognized.

Chapter 3 deals with why a man rules his household and the concept of wealth acquisition. Aristotle also first mentions that if slavery involves force, than it is unjust.

es that the reasons he

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