M. Khusnun Niam
Aristotle was a philosopher born in 384 BC in the region of Macedonia, specifically in Stagira. At the age of 15, he was abandoned by his father and subsequently raised by his father's younger brother, Proxenus. When he was over 17 years old, Aristotle moved to Athens to attend Plato's Academy. There, he studied under Plato for 20 years and was appointed as a teacher at the Academy after Plato's death. Following this, Aristotle left the Academy and spent 12 years wandering, during which time he established several other Academies. He produced many works throughout his life and passed away in 322 BC in Chalcis, Greece.
Aristotle's monumental works focus on two main topics: politics and ethics. This article will briefly explore Aristotle's ethical thoughts, particularly his views on justice and the concept of justice he presents. Additionally, Aristotle's understanding of justice has parallels in Islamic teachings, which also emphasize justice. Therefore, it is important to examine the relationship between Aristotle's concept of justice and Islamic principles.
Islam is a religion that encompasses both normativity and historicity. As a belief system, it involves the faith of individuals, particularly in relation to their worship of the Creator. On the other hand, Islam as a field of study highlights aspects that can be examined for various purposes.
Islam is often viewed as a wise religion, deeply rooted in principles of justice. This perspective stems from the understanding of monotheism, which teaches that God created all humans equally, regardless of gender. Both men and women have the opportunity to draw closer to Him as His servants, meaning that God does not prioritize one over the other in terms of measuring goodness. Everyone has equal chances to attain His favor, with no regard for who comes first. Therefore, Islam is fundamentally aligned with the ideals of justice for humanity, guiding individuals in both their divine and social lives within society.
Understanding justice in Islam is closely linked to viewing Islam as a blessing and using it as a framework for studying monotheism. Justice in Islam can only be achieved by balancing the guidance provided by sacred texts with the process of human reasoning, as we strive to understand our relationship with the divine. This interplay between sacred texts and rational thought forms the foundation for discovering justice within Islam. Consequently, the integration of these elements leads to the principle that Islam is fundamentally aligned with the concept of justice.
For Aristotle, justice is a pathway to happiness for religious individuals. He emphasizes the need for a balance between religious texts and rational thought, indicating that both should be utilized to achieve justice. This idea is reflected in Aristotle's concept of intellectual justice, which encompasses both rational and irrational elements. Thus, for Aristotle, a truly happy person is one who occupies a middle ground between two opposing viewpoints. In this context, it means that, as rational and religious beings, individuals should not favor only one type of intellectuality, as this imbalance does not lead to justice or happiness.
Aristotle believes that justice also takes the form of practice. This means that to achieve happiness, a person should not rely solely on intellectual concepts of justice; they must also apply these principles in their daily life. For Aristotle, the practical application of intellectual justice is essential for attaining happiness. He emphasizes that this application should come naturally as a result of one's habits surrounding intellectual justice, rather than being merely a matter of consideration. However, there may be situations that require a more thoughtful approach to intellectual justice.
The intersection between Islam and Aristotelian justice reveals notable similarities, particularly in their shared objective of achieving happiness. Islam, as a religion rich in unique principles and teachings, aims for peace, justice, safety, and ultimately happiness. Therefore, there is a significant alignment between Aristotle's understanding of justice and Islamic teachings, as both seek to promote happiness through the pursuit of justice.
The relationship between Islam and Aristotle's view of justice can be understood through both intellectuality and practice. Islam encourages individuals to use their reason and provides guidelines through sacred texts. Aristotle distinguishes between two forms of intellectual justice: theory and reason. Theory serves as a guideline, while reason represents the process of reasoning used to gain understanding.
Aristotle believes that a person seeking happiness must also be fair. This means that an individual who possesses intellectual justice, along with a proper understanding of its principles, namely wisdom, must apply this knowledge in their actions. The ideal of justice is reached when individuals engage in good deeds spontaneously, without requiring much reflection. However, there are times when new issues arise that need to be addressed through reasoning and theoretical analysis.
Islam shares a similar concept of justice with Aristotle's perspective, emphasizing the importance of reason and theory as the foundation for justice. Both approaches advocate for a balanced and middle path, applying insights gained from reason and theoretical understanding without favoring one side over the other.
Written by: M. Khusnum Niam. He is a Master's student in Islamic Theology and Philosophy at the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta.
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