Plato vs. Aristotle Essay Example for Free

Plato vs. Aristotle EssayNumerous experts in modern time regard Plato as the first genuine political philosopher and Aristotle as the first political scientist. They were both outstanding thinkers in regards to, in straggle with Socrates, being the metrical foot of the great western philosophers. Plato and Aristotle each had brains in how to proceed with improving the rules of order in which they were part of during their existence. It is necessary therefore to analyze their different theoretical approaches regarding their philosophical perspectives, such as ethics and psychology. This paper however will of import(prenominal)ly concentrate on Aristotles views on friendly relationship and how it impacts todays monastic order. The main objective in Platos philosophy is a creation of a perfect society. He constructs a foundation for a utopian society in his book The Republic. The purpose of his thought process was to cleanse his society of the woes he mat up plagued it an d construct a new one. Plato lived during the Peloponnesian War, which consequently lead to the end of the Athenian democracy. He had eyewitness account of his mentors (Socrates) trial and execution.Bitter and angered by the political corruption that gripped the Athenian democratic government, he dis acquired from participating in politics. He strongly felt that neither a lesson individual nor a state that is rational could be established in a democratic env weightliftment. Plato felt that the common man wasnt intelligent or capable of dealing with concepts that influence the state such as economics, policy of foreign affairs and other relative depends. He viewed political incumbents in Athens government as being elected for matters that were irrelevant to main factors that affected the state.Another danger was that excessive shore leave for the large design of the democratic society could potenti eithery lead to anarchy. In Platos perfect society, he forged before throw to eliminate the disease (pluralism of friendship) that plagued the human character and society (Class Notes). Essenti onlyy, Plato wanted to establish the perfect form of society, united by one single entity. Aristotle, unlike Plato, was not focused or concerned about the persuasion of a perfect society, instead he wanted to improve upon the one that he was part of during his existence. kind of than develop a framework for a society that is perfect, he suggested that society should, in it self, strive to employ the best system it can attain. He felt that utopia was abstract and superficial. It wouldnt earmark for realistic problem resoluteness solutions. He felt that Platos view of a strict overhaul of society in general wasnt necessary. He believed that society was at its optimum and you can only improve upon the existing one. Platos perfect society would lie of three basic companys, which atomic number 18 Guardians (Gold), Auxiliaries (Silver), and the Artisan (Bronze).The h ighest of these pha foregathers are the gold people, which consist of patterns and non-rulers. Those that are rulers are societys finale policy makers and non-rulers occupy levels of civil servants. The fundamental prerequisite to becoming a genuine philosopher is to have intimacy of forms, thus enabling you to jazz the truth. Platos theory of the forms is partly logical and part metaphysical. Armed with the truth, he believed that philosophical ruler will al looks make the right decision, and rule with total wisdom, justice and lawfulness.The rulers, he felt, wouldnt posses both money or property, they would be free of desires, excesses, and vices. The Auxiliaries (Silver) are people of strength, courage, and military capacity they occupy a small sector of society. All auxiliaries would be subjected to a series of tests, which will check their powers of resistance to self- have-to doe with, merriment and other temptations. The last level, Artisan (Bronze), are the workers w hich might be composed of farmers and artist, essentially non-skilled workers.They would produce all the consumable and non-consumable goods deemed necessary for consumption and the continued economic viability of the society. Plato whole-heartedly felt that if ever the bronze or iron people rule the state would collapse (Class Notes). He sought to establish the concept of the gold class having wisdom, thus they should be wise and good rulers. It was imperative that those who rule be philosophers and skilled in areas that pertained to the interest of the state. Aristotles disagreed with Plato in regards to allowing one particular class to govern the state politically for indefinite period of time.He felt that to not allow interaction among the various classes would inhibit those who posses the ability to engage in political life, an injustice. He feels Platos structure of classes is politically incorrect for the state. He quotes It is a further objection that he deprives his Guardia ns point of blessedness, maintaining that happiness of the whole state which should be the object of legislation, ultimately he is stating that those who rule (Guardians), sacrifice their happiness for control and absolute power.Those who are of the gold class, lead such a rigid life, that it will make up necessary to impose the similar strict way of life on those being governed. He places the approximation of moderation on a high pedestal. Many individuals come to favor the concept of moderation because it is flexible, part liberal and part conservative. Platos ideal society is so difficult to conceive that Aristotle believes that no human being can achieve its rudimentary requirements. He decided to express in the Republic how men should precede it self in a perfect society and what attitude they should posses.In retrospect, Aristotle felt by victimization real world experience along with real people, he can see first hand how and what way can he improve society. Plato and A ristotle both agreed on justice and viewed it objectively that is it controls the printing a life of good nature would be provided for all people no matter their rank in society. Aristotles states In democracies, for example, justice is considered to mean equality, no oligarchies, again inequality in the distribution of social occasion to considered just. Plato views the idea of law and justice as what sets the standard for societys behavior in a state.Aristotle puts emphasis on the institution of the polis or civilized community. The polis was structured to allow the average individual in society to inscribe in political matters. This institutional forum is not the city-state or the community, but merely the larger of the cardinal entities. It is rather a partnership among households, clans, and villages for the sake of a fully developed and self-sufficient life. The polis enables those individuals who by nature posses moral intellect and wisdom an opportunity to rise to hig her positions (Class Notes).Justice is the political good inside the polis, and it must promote the common interest of the people of the state. What is seen as good must be distributed and adjust with out the state. The law is also the regulating factor that arises from equal and free people in civil institution. The well being of a society is alone based upon the connection between the run in which the citizens of the state adhere to the law of the land. A good citizen of the state will posses prudence, moderation, and justice, and above all to rule and be ruled.His belief contradicts Plato theory of one controlling class, governing the political matters and decisions that effect the state. The surmise of Democracy that Aristotle states is that democracy is a perversion form of government of polity (Class Notes). He clearly states The people at large should be sovereign rather than the few best. Plato on the other hand, wouldnt permit citizens to engage in public participation concerning governmental issues, as Aristotle would have enjoyed. Plato also felt that public judgments of upbraiding and approval were based on emotional belief, instead of factual knowledge.He believes that if a revolution occurred it would happened within the corridors of the palace, hence palace revolution. This type of revolution happens when there is a transmission of power from one toter of power to another. Aristotle perceives such an event occurring between the wealthy and less fortunate in society. He feels to delay such actions, one must participate in them. Plato thinks that in a utopia a disgruntled group of Guardians will emerge and disengage themselves from the belief law of the state.He feels that an oligarchy ii things may initiate a possible revolution the first one is the ruler and their offspring would grow to be weak, sympathetic, and second is that the number of poor individuals will grow larger and there for be taken advantage of by the ruling class. Ari stotle states that to know the factors that caused the revolution, which destroys the constitution, is to also know the principal of effect, which in turn ensure its preservation. Aristotle and Plato also have incompatible views on ethics, psychology and metaphysics.In regards to ethics, Aristotle believes that virtue is necessary for happiness, while Plato says virtue is enough for happiness. The psychological balance between the ii is that Plato feels the body is a prison for the soul body and soul are two different entities, capable of maintaining independence from one another. As for Aristotle, he claims that the body and soul are two different things, one consisting of matter the other form. He sees everything in the universe being composed of matter and form, so its not surprising that he perceives human being are too. To him form is simply the way matter is arranged.For example, a cat is composed in a feline way thats what makes a cat. kind-hearted being for that matter, have a unique method of structure, too thats their form. In fact, Aristotle strongly feels that nothing in existence can be without form and matter. If you eliminate its structure and form you have nothing left. So for Aristotle, the concept of soul without body or body without soul is incoherent. In regards to form, Plato expressed how things should be through utilizing vague language and poetry. In respect to friendship, I firmly believe that Aristotles views on friendship holds foster in todays society.First we will touch on the various points that Aristotle makes regarding friendship, then expand on his main principle in connection to modern time, if possible. Aristotle distinguishes between three types of friendship friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure and friendships of virtue. The idea easy friendship of utility is that it is founded on the idea of usefulness. The interaction among friends is only valued if there is usefulness between the two individuals. An exam ple of this would be any automobile dealer and car buyer. Factoring in that they know each other, both need what the other can provide.The bond that unites the two people is based on usefulness. As long as they each can provide what the other needs, it satisfies the friendship. The second concept would be friendship of pleasure, which is basically the amount of pleasure generated between the participants. An example of this would be two people good-natured in a social event, such as an outdoor festival. Each of the participants enjoys the others company. They are friends because of the pleasure they sour to themselves. The last kind of friendship is the friendship of virtue. This friendship is special and unique, such that it can only be between two people.Rather than utility and pleasure, where it can establish a group of people, this type of friendship is connected solely between two people. This type of friendship is also unique based on the fact that it can only hold any true value if both individuals are of the same virtue. People in general might regard these definitions of friend objective. Some believe that doing something for someone is solely based on the act of self ? fulfillment. Aristotle, I believe is not incorrect in stating that the idea in friendship in utility and pleasure is for our own sake, and the concept behind friendship of virtue is for the sake of the friend.These three categories are arranged in a certain format that there are influenced by the next level. These bonds of friendship can arise from various forms of potential fraternal groupings. Present day possibilities can include various college organizations, union members, national communities and any other form of groups that people light upon a common denominator. For Aristotle Aristotle is more than philosophically inclined than Plato he tends to get rid of ideas that are irrelevant, and he believes that the concept of forms existing separate from matter is somewhat superfl uous.He dives right into the heart of the matter. You can see Aristotle as someone who believes the world in which he occupies very satisfying just the way it is. His main focus is always connected with things that are consistent with ideal experience, without introducing unnecessary notions of concepts that cant be proven. Platos vague, poetical language in metaphysics and physics didnt stimulate inspiration it made him uncomfortable. Both Plato and Aristotle were two men who pictured methods on ways to improve their existing society. Plato, the political philosopher, was basically in pursuit of philosophical truth.Aristotle was more concerned with citizenship and institutional politics. They both had developed ideas and concepts to improve society as a whole. Aristotle and Plato have had a tremendous impact on political scientists of today. In Aristotle case, he was responsible for developing various democratic ideas. Even in modern democracies like our own Aristotles ideas hold true. When we vote in the election of the ruler of our country we, theoretically, are voting for the single most excellent citizen of our nation. That is we are voting for that citizen who can do the best job of working toward our common interest.The citizen of a state who has the greatest ability to work towards the repurchase of the constitution has a great gift that can benefit all citizens. It only makes sense to allow that particular individual to lead the rest of the citizens in working towards the common interests of the state. In conclusion, these men were great thinkers. Their opinions on society and its function were quite different, but they both had the same concern, to build a weaken way of life for their societies they in lived in and for the societies that would come to be in the future.