Analysis of Aristotle and Platos Thoughts Essay - 985 Words

Philosophers 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 and purpose, and everyone within it is aware of that. While the state works for the people as a whole instead of individual, Plato also proposes the idea of propaganda to mold even the lowest of his utopia into model citizens for the†¦show more content†¦Aristotle and Plato are both at opposite sides of the political spectrum. As Plato â€Å"Rejected individualism and democracy and argues for the subordination of the individual to the supreme power of the state,† (â€Å"Ideal† 54) Aristotle instead argues that â€Å"Both governors and governed have duties to perform; the special functions of a governor to command and to judge. But if the citizens of a state are to judge and to distribute offices according to merit, then they must know each other’s characters,† (Politics 1). In Plato’s politics the i ndividual citizens only job is being ruled by the government. Citizens of the state are subordinate â€Å"to the supreme power of the state,† (â€Å"Ideal† 54), however, for Aristotle’s state bothâ€Å"governors and governed have duties to perform,† (Politics 1). Plato’s state works for the whole in a way that benefits the state. Aristotle’s state works together with the people to achieve individual happiness. Structure of a state is the essence of the state. For Plato,, the structure is purely a hierarchy, with those more capable of rule at the top and everyone else subordinate. As for Aristotle, the structure of his ideal state is a rotation of power between equal free men. Plato’s hierarchy coincides with the tripartite soul in his ethics, â€Å"Like theShow MoreRelatedReconciling The Divergence Of The Nature Of Man Between Classic And Modern Thinkers1425 Words   |  6 PagesReconciling the Divergence of the Nature of Man between Classic and Modern Thinkers Within Book 2 of Plato’s work The Republic, Socrates’ companion Glaucon describes the tale of the ring of Gyges, challenging Socrates on the nature of man. Within the ring of Gyges scenario, Glaucon posits that when an individual has the power granted by a ring of absolute invisibility that grants impunity, â€Å"no one [†¦] would be so incorruptible that he would stay on the path of justice or stay away from other people’sRead MoreAbsolute Realism Vs. 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EJERE DEPT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF UYO, UYO AKWA IBOM STATE MAY, 2012 A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PLATO AND ARISTOTLES POLITICAL THOUGHT In order to compare these great philosophersRead MoreAristotle And Plato s Philosophy1688 Words   |  7 Pages) Professor Armstrong CC 5 October 2015 Aristotle and Plato are famous for their many works in the philosophical field. Specifically, the Republic by Plato and Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle seem to be their most popular works. In these works they discuss things that are needed to achieve the â€Å"good life† both on an individual level and on a societal level. There is some variance between what the two philosophers think can create the â€Å"good life.† They explore the concepts of eudaimonia, virtueRead MoreConceptions of the Soul Essay1161 Words   |  5 PagesPlato (in Phaedo) and Aristotle (in De Anima) present two fundamentally different conceptions of the soul. 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