Can anyone explain aristotles' the oarsmen anology?

Question

Can anyone explain aristotles' the oarsmen anology?

Answer 1

Aristotle explains that on a ship the sailors are all called different things, like oarsman or helmsman or lookouts.  Now they all do different things but they are all interested making sure the boat gets to where its going quickly and safely.  A good sailor is one who who helps with the boats objectives.  A bad sailor is one who hinders the boats objective.  A person may be a good oarsman but a bad sailor.  Or he may actually be a bad oarsman but still a good sailor.

He then says that's like everyone in society.  Everyone has different jobs  but good citizens are those who help with their communities.  And you can tell whether a person is a good citizen not by how well they do their individual jobs but on how well they help their communities.