it should be observed that, though he failed to see the importance of unlimited economic progress through constant increase in the capitalistic stock, there is after all a sense in which he was right. There is a natural limit to just acquisition, and it is especially with the individual in relation to wealth that he is dealing. He is thus, with Plato, a forerunner of the present tendency in economics, which is inclined to set a limit to the amount that one can justly earn in a lifetime by his own work.606
Labor and industry.—Aristotle’s attitude to labor, the third factor in production, is similar to that of Plato, though he lays greater emphasis on the evil physical and moral effect of the “banausic” arts. They are defined as those that “render men unfit for the practice of virtue.”607 They not only cause the body to degenerate,608 but, being “mercenary” employments, they also vulgarize the soul.609 The occupations that require the most physical labor are the most “slavish.”610 The life of artisans and laborers is mean (φαῦλος) and has no business with virtue.611 The citizen youth should be taught none of the illiberal pursuits of the tradesmen.612 No citizen should enter into industrial labor or retail trade, since they are ignoble (ἀγεννής) and hostile to virtue.613 Even all the agricultural work must be performed by slaves, that the citizens may have leisure for personal development and for service to the state.614 In addition to his other objections to retail trade and the arts, Aristotle considers them to be naturally unjust, since they take something from him with whom they deal.615 Indeed, the productive classes have but slight recognition in his ideal state. They seem to be tolerated only as a necessary evil, and are in a state of limited slavery ἀφωρισμένην τινὰ δουλείαν. Virtue is even less possible for them than for slaves, and they lead a less tolerable life.616 All hired labor belongs to the category of “false finance” which degrades individual and state alike.617 The state that produces a multitude of mechanics and but few hoplites can never be great.618