- Date(s)
- November 8, 2023
- Location
- Hybrid event
- Time
- 15:00 - 16:30
- Price
- Free
Andrew Irvine (University of British Columbia) 'Rule of Law versus Rule of Men'
Abstract
Both Plato and Aristotle are supportive of the rule of law but hesitant to think that, by itself, it will lead to good government. In Laws III.689ff, Plato discusses the importance of blending monarchy with democracy. Without some form of shared power, it becomes impossible to provide checks on either unlimited power or unlimited freedom. In Politics III.10 and IV.4, Aristotle discusses the difference between governments that are regulated by the rule of law and governments that are not.
Although he concludes that the rule of law helps guard against the arbitrary and injudicious action of an all-powerful government, he is also sensitive to the fact that in a democracy it is essential for the demos to remain sovereign over the law. In both cases we are left with the challenge of achieving proportionality, of finding the right balance between the rule of law and the rule of men.
This talk will also be available to access on MS Teams. Contact Suzanne Whitten (suzanne.whitten@qub.ac.uk) for link.
- Department
-
School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics
- Add to calendar
| Name | Dr Suzanne Whitten |
| suzanne.whitten@qub.ac.uk | |
| Website | https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/happ/ |