A student of Plato, Aristotle (384-322 BC), continued the Greek interest in the social nature of human beings; however, where Plato focused on the group, Aristotle accentuated the individual. In his Politics, Aristotle suggested that the true aim of government was to aid its citizens in the realization of the good life. He stressed the seeming need for human beings to live in societies in order to become self-fulfilled—something they could not do in isolation. Aristotle believed that man is by nature a political animal, and it is the job of the state to make the realization of the good life a reality.

He placed a heavy stress on the individual; however, he also noted that both the individual and society must work together toward the same ends. Obviously, his political ideal was a democracy that allows—even requires—personal involvement. And, unlike Plato, Aristotle championed the arts, especially poetic tragedy, because he believed that a message embedded within a creative context would have much more impact and staying power. And while he stopped short of describing a social contract between government and the people, he did shape the belief in a strong and cooperative society.

An Aristotelian view of the press would probably emphasize its role in helping individuals fulfill their potential. According to this view, the best way for that to happen would be to keep the citizens informed enough to participate intelligently in the process of democracy. Sound familiar? It’s not a coincidence that the modern American press is founded on the principal of informing the people. Aristotle would probably also emphasize the rights of the individual over those of the community, thus press freedoms over press responsibility (at least beyond its basic responsibility to inform). He would also probably favor the creative aspects of advertising, since messages creatively expressed are often those with the most impact (a fact that advertisers know well).