The concept of mechanics being base is obsolete, as modern mechanics are not some carpenter working in some small workshop but engineers and industrialists,whose work is as noble as it gets. No one will say that E. Sreedharan is not noble.Also,the class having enough leisure was that of big landowners (zamindars), which no longer exists. In today's world everyone has to work unlike older times where not having to work to earn a livelihood was considered a sign of gentleman. So kindly take a new look at Aristotle's arguements as they need to be slightly changed for modern world with its industrial economy and norms.
I think yes, not all mechanical jobs are equal, and Aristotle does differentiate between essential and luxury craftsmen, yet, the POV being considered here is that those who hold citizenship have to necessarily be participants in government activities. Also, mechanical jobs being considered base is due to these jobs not calling for skills like those of quadrivium and trivium, and any skill that you gain is more practical and suited to make a living than serving any purpose in civic duties, for civic duties require one to be quite differently educated. In the future, there will be a bit more elaboration on education and related things to this, so that it is clarified
The concept of mechanics being base is obsolete, as modern mechanics are not some carpenter working in some small workshop but engineers and industrialists,whose work is as noble as it gets. No one will say that E. Sreedharan is not noble.Also,the class having enough leisure was that of big landowners (zamindars), which no longer exists. In today's world everyone has to work unlike older times where not having to work to earn a livelihood was considered a sign of gentleman. So kindly take a new look at Aristotle's arguements as they need to be slightly changed for modern world with its industrial economy and norms.
I think yes, not all mechanical jobs are equal, and Aristotle does differentiate between essential and luxury craftsmen, yet, the POV being considered here is that those who hold citizenship have to necessarily be participants in government activities. Also, mechanical jobs being considered base is due to these jobs not calling for skills like those of quadrivium and trivium, and any skill that you gain is more practical and suited to make a living than serving any purpose in civic duties, for civic duties require one to be quite differently educated. In the future, there will be a bit more elaboration on education and related things to this, so that it is clarified