# Aristotle — The Story of Utopias character guide

> Aristotle in The Story of Utopias by Lewis Mumford.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-the-story-of-utopias

## Who they are

Greek philosopher whose political ideas are referenced in utopian discussions.

## Relationships

### [Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/characters/plato)

_professional_

Aristotle was Plato's student and later a critic, engaging deeply with Plato's political philosophy in his own works.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/i)

Cited as a source describing the ideal states of Phaleas and Hippodamus.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/iii)

Aristotle is referenced as a source alongside Plato for understanding the physical side of the Republic.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned alongside Plato as advocating a mode of life neither impoverished nor luxurious.

### [Plato's Republic: The Foundation of Civic Unity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned in the context of contrasting political philosophies, though not directly quoted in the excerpt.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/viii)

Mentioned as a critic of Plato's class division from a democratic perspective.

### [How something happened to utopia between Plato and Sir Thomas More; and how utopia was discovered again, along with the New World.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/iii)

Aristotle is referenced as a critic of Plato's ideal state, representing a contrasting philosophical tradition.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/ii)

Abandoned by Hythloday because the schoolmen had butchered his works.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/ii)

Referenced as the philosopher after whom Bacon is overrated as a philosopher of natural science.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/vi)

Aristotle's concept of the material bases of the good life is invoked to question whether Bellamy's inventions are genuine goods or mere substitutes.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/ix)

Quoted on the purpose of community: men come together to live, and remain to live the good life, used as a check on industrialism.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/xi)

Cited for the observation that the grouping of people in towns, villages, and cities is a chief distinction between man and other animals.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/i)

Aristotle is cited for predicting that slavery would end if machines could automate labor, illustrating ancient limitations on social improvement.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned for dividing his writings into exoteric and esoteric groups, recognizing separate branches of literature and science.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned as having made the initial breach between literature and science.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/characters/aristotle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/characters