philosophy and philosophers

“For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all"

– Aristotle

And that was sent to me with the following message:

"Came across this on Daily Maverick ... any use to you?"
Yes. Loving the philosophy of all things...have decided to quote the rest:

"...since armed injustice is the more dangerous, and he is equipped at birth with the arms of intelligence and with moral qualities which he may use for the worst ends.

Wherefore, if he have not virtue, he is the most unholy and the most savage of animals, and the most full of lust and gluttony. But justice is the bond of men in states, and

the administration of justice, which is the determination of what is just, is the principle of order in political society."

The ability and the need (?) to strive to be better...trying to reach a state perfect yet not possible.
Man can never reach that ultimate state of all things perfect, for if that were so, it would be like becoming the Divine, beyond reproach.
Society laying down boundaries, laws to be adhered to, giving definition to the existence of man. Really? Or is it the other way round...the fact that man has created those boundaries and laws thus giving definition to them.....adherence giving substance.
Is man nothing without them......purpose less, lost, chaotic....?
The freedom to choose, an innate ability to distinguish between good and bad.....the good always pulling harder than the bad.....or is that being too hopeful.
And yet.....A society lawless attacking the very fibre of harmonious existence....breaking down every possible avenue of connect between people from all walks of life.....does this uphold Aristotle's argument?
There is nothing simple about man and his existence.
Each decade, each century, revealing further complexities which seem to be leading to the eventual annihilation of mankind.

Are we that lustful and gluttonous to be the creators of our own demise.....for in modern society even global powers have very little respect for the administration of Worldly justice....in the seeking to conquer all through divide and rule....the segregation of all under a new world order policed dictatorial.....?

Or is that too cynical a conclusion and one should rather believe the good in all will prevail and give meaning to an existence eternal.

Philosophers.....philosophy...round and round we go.

...

RB.