Comparing Aristotle and Plato Essay - 793 Words

Comparing Aristotle and Plato We have two great philosophers, Plato and Aristotle. These are great men, whose ideas have not been forgotten over years. Although their thoughts of politics were similar, we find some discrepancies in their teachings. The ideas stem from Socrates to Plato to Aristotle. Plato based moral knowledge on abstract reason, while Aristotle grounded it on experience and tried to apply it more to concrete living. Both ways of life are well respected by many people today. Plato started his teachings in remembrance of his good friend, Socrates. After his death he traveled back to Italy and studied under Pythagoras. Some years later he began The Academy. Much of the curriculum taught was dedicated to the†¦show more content†¦Peoples soul are made up of several parts, as will be shown along the way, each mans main concern and occupation in life should be to build harmony and unity. Politics is the way a person expresses how his or her order in life can be used for everyone, the image of their own inner order or disorder reflected in his social life. A person cannot live alone, because one is a social animal, one must act; politics becomes an important part of the mind. Politics are simply the means of bringing order into the world of men through laws that are the product of rational nature. It is the ultimate concern of the philosopher, the one of wisdom, to bring this order forward. Aristotle at the age of 17 attended The Academy founded by Plato. Recall that The Academy had been set up using the principles that were later set out in Platos major work, The Republic. Aristotle continued at The Academy until the death of Plato some twenty years later. Aristotle was recognized as a brilliant independent student of philosophy. Aristotles view of politics is expressed in his writing, Politics. Rather than focusing on the individual Aristotle is more intent on the regime, and the highest goal, justice. Another main point is that people must live together, thus having a united regime. The family unit was highly respected, for the household is where people originate. Aristotles political science encompasses the twoShow MoreRelatedComparing Aristotle and Plato Essays1325 Words   |  6 PagesComparing Aristotle and Plato Aristotle argues that in order for a polis to emerge, a union between man and women must convene. Later a household must be introduced which unites with other households to form a village, villages come together to form city-states. This theory is Aristotle’s natural view that an individual can not be self sufficient Plato argues that, in order to achieve absolute justice, a city-state is needed. In The Republic, Plato builds around the idea of Philosopher RulersRead More Comparing Plato and Aristotle Essay2140 Words   |  9 PagesComparing Plato and Socrates Plato was among the most important and creative thinkers of the ancient world. He was born in Athens in 428 BC to an aristocratic and well-off family. Even as a young child Plato was familiar with political life because his father, Ariston was the last king of Athens. Ariston died when Plato was a young boy. However, the excessive Athenian political life, which was under the oligarchical rule of the Thirty Tyrants and the restored democracy, seem to have forcedRead MoreComparing Plato s And Aristotle s Speculations1066 Words   |  5 Pagescan be when their wants and needs aren’t addressed. Plato and Aristotle aim to outline a citizen that helps the State to run at its finest, but set their basis under the wrong conditions. To look at justice in the soul, Plato used the bigger idea of the State to compare it to an individual. From his reasoning, there’s a strong relationship between State and citizen and every person has a role that contributes to the bigger piece of a whole. Plato, however, doesn’t regard the individual’s wants andRead MoreEssay on Comparing and Contrasting Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle708 Words   |  3 Pagesmeditate about life, and would sit or talk and write books about life. These have always been one of Greeks reasons of why it is so famous. Because of their marvelous philosophers. The most important philosophers from that time and always are: Aristotle, Plato and Socrates. Socrates: Socrates was a very important philosopher. He usually questioned a lot about traditions, religion and government. One of his ideas, now used at school, is the Socratic Method. This is that a person asks questionsRead MoreComparing Plato And Aristotle s Idea Of Happiness1852 Words   |  8 Pagescomponent of the city and are shown in the image and likeliness of the state. This essay will seek to compare Plato and Aristotle’s idea of happiness and how it introduced different ideals and perspectives to understand and practice politics in this period, and how the mere opinion on democratic institutions by these philosophers influenced the role and influence of politics throughout generations. Plato on Happiness In Plato’s Republic, we see a challenge to find the true definition of justice, the orderRead MoreComparing The Film Dead Man Walking The Works Of Aristotle And Plato1754 Words   |  8 Pages Virtue ethics was born from the works of Aristotle and Plato. Virtue ethics focuses on a person’s character rather then the acts committed. The main goal of virtue ethics is finding happiness and becoming an excellent person. To become an excellent person, they must get rid of their vices and achieve more virtues. Vices are bad character traits about a person and virtues are good character traits. A person gets rid of their vices by following the example of an excellent person. For a person toRead MorePlato and Aristotle: An Analysis1175 Words   |  5 Pagesof Plato and Aristotle regarding the best political association. Quotes from Politics and the Republic are used to support the author’s thesis. Plato and Aristotle: An Analysis Determining the best form of political association was important to the ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle, and each of them expressed his opinion in important works such as the Republic and Politics. In explaining, comparing, and contrasting the political philosophies of Plato and Aristotle, itRead MoreThe Utopian Views Of Plato And Platos Political State741 Words   |  3 PagesPhilosophers are all known for questioning and exploring Ideals; taking a look at all options and what is most important. While Aristotle and Plato both take a plunge into the unknowns of a political state, Aristotle demonstrates a state for individuals, to rule as equals, contrary to Plato’s strict utopian structure and group over individual hierarchy view of the ideal state. Plato’s ideal state is strictly structured through a utopian ideal. Everything within Plato’s ideal state has a place andRead MorePlato And Aristotle Disagree About Virtue. Plato And Aristotle1403 Words   |  6 PagesPlato and Aristotle Disagree about Virtue Plato and Aristotle are great philosophers and they have talked a lot about virtue. Although these two people started from similar settings, their ideas about virtue were actually different. Plato’s philosophy was more about non-material things, like ideas and love. On the other hand, Aristotle liked things that are more measurable and physicals. In this paper, I will first discuss Plato’s ideas about the nature of virtue, which people have virtue when theyRead MoreComparing The Political Theories Of Two Philosophers1444 Words   |  6 PagesDominic Bressi Prof. Catherine Chaput CH 201 15 October 2014 When comparing the political theories of two renowned philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, one must first focus on the merits of each of their own theories in depth. Plato is often considered as the first writer of political philosophy while Aristotle is considered the first political scientist. Though Aristotle was once a student of Plato, the two differ on the topic of how to best improve society for the benefit of mankind. Thus