“One natural kind of acquiring property is part of household management…and things necessary for life and useful for the household are acquired. They are the elements of true riches; for the amount of property which is needed for a good life is not unlimited.”
Aristotle, Politics
Sometimes reality strikes us as remarkably well-designed. For instance, things that are good for us from one perspective turn out to be good in multiple ways–ways which we hadn’t expected.
Aristotle insists that the pursuit of material wealth should be circumscribed by one imperative: seek what is needed, and no more. What might appear on first blush to be stultifying or even life-negating—not to mention retarding of the gross national product—turns out to be, when properly understood, a principle of great wisdom and a seed of true life.
Aristotle juxtaposes what people need with what they want or desire, noting that the former is always limited while the latter is often unlimited. So he sets before us two paths: direct and curb our acquisitions according to ‘needs;’ or, seek things according to our ‘desires.’ The former path tends to a natural completion, while the latter tends to an open-ended succession.
The notion of ‘need’ is to be understood not in terms of mere self-subsistence but rather in reference to a fullness of human life lived with generosity in community. What is or is not ‘needed’ requires careful deliberation in view of what is appropriate to one’s station in life, with an eye to what is owed to others. This allows for real latitude.
Nonetheless the notion of ‘need’ provides a clear and helpful contrast to the now customary assumption that when it comes to what we want, more is better as long as it is within our means.
If Aristotle is right, then less is often better, especially when less is all we really need.
And then we find that this restrained, disciplined approach to wealth and possessions conduces not only to our own health and happiness, but also to that of our relationships and our homes; and of the broader community; and even of the natural world around us.
Note: I am currently teaching a course on family and household, focusing on ancient principles of the art of household management. I look forward to sharing more from the texts we are reading.
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.), student of Plato, tutor of Alexander the Great, has been considered by many to be the greatest ancient philosopher. The Politics is one of his major ethical works.
Image: Bernardus Blommers (1845-1914), Dutch, ‘The Happy Family’
Husband, father, and professor of Philosophy. LifeCraft springs from one conviction: there is an ancient wisdom about how to live the good life in our homes, with our families; and it is worth our time to hearken to it. Let’s rediscover it together. Learn more.
Professor Cuddeback,
Thank you for this post. In the process of discerning the means by which our family will earn its livelihood, it is valuable to reflect on what is truly needed. Such advice as you present above is never heard in the world generally, and would be considered irresponsible by many – but from my limited experience it seems to me some of the best and most responsible advice that could be given.
If one understand that man is made for an end, and that the highest of his ends is not in this world, it becomes clear that dedication of your time and resources to eternal things is of more benefit to your family than is an over-investment in material desires. Further, such pursuit is endless, as you say. You cannot fill an infinite longing with a large succession of finite things.
God bless, and thank you for the blog!
Semper Idem,
Andrew
Andrew, I thank you for your insight, and your kind and encouraging words. With all best wishes.
Powerful, sane, beautiful piece. Thank you for sharing these points of wisdom that you have already digested and now explained well . This will give me much to think about.
You truly have a gift for teaching.
Kathy, You are very kind, and I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to say this.
Dr. Cuddeback,
I recently became aware of your website. I am delighted with the treasure I have found! I have read several of your insights and am very interested in the philosophy of household. At the end of your article on wealth, you indicated that you are teaching a course on family and household, focusing on ancient principles of the art of household management. Would you provide a list of the texts that you are using in that course? I would be most grateful. Thank you.
–pauline
Pauline, Thank you for your kind note. Here are some of the texts we are using:
–Aristotle Politics with commentary by Thomas Aquinas, books 1 and 2 (Note: this is a very rich text, but it needs some contextualization and would be difficult to read on one’s own.)
–some texts from Thomas Aquinas on the nature of marriage–these are individual articles scattered throughout his work.
–Xenophon’s The Estate Manager (This text too needs contextualization, and would be difficult to read on one’s own)
–Christopher Lasch’s Haven in a Heartless World: The Family Besieged
–a chapter in Wendell Berry’s The Unsettling of America, titled “The Body and the Earth”
–William Cobbett’s The Cottage Economy (written in 1821)
–E.F. Schumacher’s Small is Beautiful
As you can see, it is something of a hodge podge; there is certainly no one book that brings together the different themes we cover. I myself am trying to write such a book myself…
Thanks again.
Dr. Cuddeback,
Thank you for your prompt reply. I am grateful to have the list of texts. And, yes, it would be difficult to weave together the themes of these texts without receiving the “light” from someone who has so much more wisdom in this area than I. It will be good to peruse these materials. I happily await your book on family and the principles and art of household. Thank you again.
–pauline
Hello Dr. Cuddebeck! Fond memories of our visit with you and your family on your farm—and with your acorn-thriving pigs!
Fine article and thoughts! Wish I lived nearby to sit-in on your class!
I might suggest a fine book (which I referenced in my book, “Life From Our Land”, in chapter eight on “The Rural Life”). The book is “The Importance of the Rural Life, According to the Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas”. This “study in economic phi-
losophy” was the doctoral dissertation of George H. Speltz, a priest
of the Diocese of Winona, and was originally published in 1944. Fr. Speltz eventually became a rural bishop and served as president
of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.
Mr. Grodi, Fond memories indeed; your visit was a blessing! Thank you so much for bringing this book to my attention. I had seen it as a copied manuscript years ago, but I did not know it has been re-published (and is available here). I remember loving that book, and so I second your recommendation and I will be getting the republished version.
Further I heartily recommend to all your book “Life From Our Land” available here. May God bless all of your work. Thank you again.