This article maintains that Aristotle develops his political theory as a craft and science in Politics 4–6. The literature, however, has argued that he views political knowledge as a form of practical wisdom or prudence. This article discusses the way that Aristotle proposes political theory as a skill to help deal with unfavorable circumstances. In Greek political thought, craft and science are characterized as skills of cooperating with nature, taking up opportunities, and coping with uncertainty. Aristotle uses this conception when he develops his political theory in Politics 4–6. He understands that political theorists should advise prudent legislators on practical reforms of constitutions and help them address non-ideal situations. Serious efforts to gain causal knowledge are indispensable for statesmanship. This view of statesmanship better illustrates political theory as part of human efforts and cooperation to resolve uncertainty rather than the one that sharply distinguishes among theoretical, practical, and productive sciences.

本文认为，亚里士多德在《政治》第 4-6 章中将他的政治理论发展为一门手艺和科学。然而，文献认为他将政治知识视为一种实践智慧或审慎的形式。本文讨论了亚里士多德提出政治理论作为帮助处理不利情况的技能的方式。在希腊政治思想中，工艺和科学被描述为与自然合作、抓住机会和应对不确定性的技能。亚里士多德在政治学中发展他的政治理论时使用了这个概念4-6。他明白政治理论家应该就宪法的实际改革向审慎的立法者提供建议，并帮助他们解决非理想情况。获得因果知识的认真努力对于政治家是必不可少的。这种关于政治家的观点更好地说明了政治理论是人类为解决不确定性所做的努力和合作的一部分，而不是对理论科学、实践科学和生产性科学进行严格区分的一种。