Slavery was regarded by Aristotle as an ordinance of…
“Slavery was regarded by Aristotle as an ordinance of nature, and so probably was it by the slaves themselves in olden time.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Aristotle claimed slavery is natural, suggesting both masters and slaves accepted it as a cosmic order.
In simple terms: Aristotle saw slavery as natural and accepted.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about historical justifications.
Themes
philosophy
history
ethics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- political theory
- education curricula
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
natural law
social hierarchy
justification of oppression
Questions to Reflect On
- How did ancient societies rationalize oppression?
- Can we ever fully understand slave perspectives?
A Different Perspective
Modern ethics reject such naturalistic claims.