Aristotle on the "Liberal" and "Illiberal" Arts

Abstract

In this essay, I will analyze Aristotle's conception of "liberal" and "illiberal" activities and individuals. This investigation will examine, first of all, Aristotle's tangled account of the liberal education in the Politics. In particular, I want to explore the kind of freedom which characterizes "liberal" arts and activities and, correlatively, the non- freedom which marks the "illiberal" or, as they are more commonly called, the "banausic" arts (banausoi technai). Secondly, I will discuss Aristotle's conception of that most liberal of all pursuits, philosophic contemplation. As we will see, "liberal" activities are defined by Aristotle as useless, nonproductive and not