Date Presented
Spring 5-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Timothy Meinke, PhD
Second Advisor
Nicolas Frank, PhD
Third Advisor
Elizabeth Savage, PhD
Abstract
In this project, I elucidate the presence of Aristotelian political friendship within Thomas Jefferson's ideal American regime. The project considers the aspects of Aristotle's political thought that are relevant to political friendship, and draws parallels to Jefferson's political philosophy through: (1) the organization of the regime and its citizens (the constitution and construction of the regime, the class demographics of its citizens, etc.); and (2) the philosophical principles that inform the aim(s) and end (telē) of the regime.
Despite notable differences between their political philosophies--such as Jefferson's inclusion of Christian moral philosophy in his thought--I conclude that Jefferson's attempts to harmonize the salient aims of modern liberalism and classical republicanism is what creates the space for Aristotelian political friendship in Jefferson's conceptual regime.
Recommended Citation
O'Connor, Christopher Hiatt, "A Search for Aristotelian Political Friendship in Thomas Jefferson’s Ideal American Regime" (2020). Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects. 175.
https://digitalshowcase.lynchburg.edu/utcp/175