1. This notion is a dramatic reversal from the previous tradition of
political and moral thought, which held that politics is natural to human beings and, for
some theorists, central to a good human life.
a. Thucydides, "Funeral Oration of Pericles" holds that taking
part in public was central to the happiness of Athenians.
b. Aristotle held that human beings are "political animals." One
kind of flourishing life for Aristotle, the life of moral virtue, is learned and lived by
means of people "ruling and being ruled in turn."
2. If politics is not natural to human beings, then human happiness is
something that does not depend upon taking part in political life. This is supported by
Locke’s notion of human ends and happiness.
