Related questions
§ Compare and contrast Plato and Aristotle’s political philosophy.
§ Discuss any five salient features of Plato’s ideal state.
§ Briefly discuss Aristotle’s social/political philosophy.
INTRODUCTION
Although they are popularly known for specific philosophical feats, Plato and Aristotle, two major philosophers of the Socratic period, have largely contributed to every area of philosophy as a discipline. However, this write-up intends to evaluate the political prescriptions, in the philosophy of these Socratic thinkers.
THE IDEAL STATE
The concept of the ‘ideal state’ is at the very core of the political philosophies of both Plato and Aristotle. Initially, a ‘state’ is a territorial entity divided into government and subject; and claiming within its allotted area, supremacy over all other institutions. The word ‘ideal’ simply means a ‘perfected standard’. Hence, an ideal state must be a state which is based on a perfected standard. Plato and Aristotle both prescribed what they believed these perfected standards on which the state be based, should be. Even though they agree on some issues, they also disagree on several others.
COMPARING PLATO AND ARISTOTLE’S IDEAL STATE
Amongst several, some basic points on which both Plato and Aristotle agree are given next;
i. The purpose of the state
For both, the end of the state is Ethical, as justice is the reason and basis of the ideal state. For Plato, the individual and the state are one and the same. He postulates that they both have a tripartite nature; of which ‘justice’ is the result of a sound balance of these three parts. Aristotle asserts that the city-state (polis) comes into being for the sake of life, but exists for the sake of the good life.
ii. Critics of Democracy
Both philosophers perceived ‘democracy’ as the worst form of government. For Plato, ‘democracy is the worst of all lawful governments and the best of all lawless ones. For Aristotle, ‘a perverted polity (government by men of middle class) will degenerate into democracy (a rule by the mod) which is a bad form of government.
iii. Education as a national concern
Plato prescribed that everyone must be given an equal opportunity in order to prove their mettle as regards where they belong in the social stratification. Aristotle says there should be laws guiding Education as a national concern; for each is a part of the state and the care bestowed on each part, naturally tends towards the whole.
iv. Concept of ruling
Both philosophers believe that ruling is a skill, as well as an ideal (perfected standard). For Plato, a potential ruler must be trained in philosophy aside other things. He says, there are some perfected ideals of ruling that exist, and only the philosopher can know it. This is why he established the ‘Academy’. Aristotle likewise advocates the training of potential rulers. Also, he founded a school of training which he called the ‘lyceum’.
CONTRASTING PLATO AND ARISTOTLE’S IDEAL STATE
Some core areas amongst several; where both philosophers disagree are hereby evaluated;
i. Private property
§ Plato prescribed in his communism concerning the abolishment of private property, especially with the guardians and auxiliaries. Plato saying anything like property that must be owned by them, must be owned collectively. This could be as a reason of their position and the tendency to abuse it.
§ Aristotle on the other hand criticizes the abolition of private property, as he recognizes the need to own such; even though the private possession of good must be within certain limits. He therefore preached against the excessive accumulation of goods, and advised citizens to use their limited possessions for the benefit of the common good.
ii. Feminism
§ Plato’s ideal state in the republic, supports feminism in that, education for ruling as well as the job of ruling itself, should be open to girls and women like the men. Thus, one’s sex is generally irrelevant to one’s qualification for education or employment.
§ Aristotle asserts that the women are normally subordinate to men, for the male is by nature superior and the female inferior. The men rules but the women are ruled (though not as salves). Hence, Aristotle accepts the customary subordination of women to men.
iii. Ruling ideology and method
· Plato’s ruling ideology for the ideal state has been characterized as the ‘rule of the best man’. For him, the best man is the ‘philosopher king’, who alone knows the ideal standards for the state, and has also being trained to master them.
· Aristotle’s ruling ideology for the ideal state is characterized as the ‘rule of the best laws’. For him, the best laws are ‘a well ordered constitution’ which entails good governance. Also, his ruling ideology has a scientific dimension that is more prescriptive than descriptive.
iv. Family
§ Plato proposes the abolishment of the family in his communism, as he says the guardians and auxiliaries shall have no wife of their own, but in common. Children should be separated from their parents of birth and raised by the state. Hence, there will be more unity; less disharmony.
§ Aristotle disagrees and upheld that the family is the bedrock of the state and fundamental society, which is established according to the law of nature to provide man’s daily needs. Thus, Aristotle despise communism. In his words, ‘… everybody is inclined to neglect something which he expects another to fulfill; as in families, many attendants are often less useful than a few.
CONCLUSION
Due to the fact that Plato was Aristotle’s mentor, they both have quite some political concepts in common. Nevertheless, in line with the partisan trend in philosophy, they still disagree on some more salient issues. This is due to the fact that Aristotle, whom was more prolific in writing, distanced himself from Plato, whom was his mentor, at some point.
§ Compare and contrast Plato and Aristotle’s political philosophy.
§ Discuss any five salient features of Plato’s ideal state.
§ Briefly discuss Aristotle’s social/political philosophy.
INTRODUCTION
Although they are popularly known for specific philosophical feats, Plato and Aristotle, two major philosophers of the Socratic period, have largely contributed to every area of philosophy as a discipline. However, this write-up intends to evaluate the political prescriptions, in the philosophy of these Socratic thinkers.
THE IDEAL STATE
The concept of the ‘ideal state’ is at the very core of the political philosophies of both Plato and Aristotle. Initially, a ‘state’ is a territorial entity divided into government and subject; and claiming within its allotted area, supremacy over all other institutions. The word ‘ideal’ simply means a ‘perfected standard’. Hence, an ideal state must be a state which is based on a perfected standard. Plato and Aristotle both prescribed what they believed these perfected standards on which the state be based, should be. Even though they agree on some issues, they also disagree on several others.
COMPARING PLATO AND ARISTOTLE’S IDEAL STATE
Amongst several, some basic points on which both Plato and Aristotle agree are given next;
i. The purpose of the state
For both, the end of the state is Ethical, as justice is the reason and basis of the ideal state. For Plato, the individual and the state are one and the same. He postulates that they both have a tripartite nature; of which ‘justice’ is the result of a sound balance of these three parts. Aristotle asserts that the city-state (polis) comes into being for the sake of life, but exists for the sake of the good life.
ii. Critics of Democracy
Both philosophers perceived ‘democracy’ as the worst form of government. For Plato, ‘democracy is the worst of all lawful governments and the best of all lawless ones. For Aristotle, ‘a perverted polity (government by men of middle class) will degenerate into democracy (a rule by the mod) which is a bad form of government.
iii. Education as a national concern
Plato prescribed that everyone must be given an equal opportunity in order to prove their mettle as regards where they belong in the social stratification. Aristotle says there should be laws guiding Education as a national concern; for each is a part of the state and the care bestowed on each part, naturally tends towards the whole.
iv. Concept of ruling
Both philosophers believe that ruling is a skill, as well as an ideal (perfected standard). For Plato, a potential ruler must be trained in philosophy aside other things. He says, there are some perfected ideals of ruling that exist, and only the philosopher can know it. This is why he established the ‘Academy’. Aristotle likewise advocates the training of potential rulers. Also, he founded a school of training which he called the ‘lyceum’.
CONTRASTING PLATO AND ARISTOTLE’S IDEAL STATE
Some core areas amongst several; where both philosophers disagree are hereby evaluated;
i. Private property
§ Plato prescribed in his communism concerning the abolishment of private property, especially with the guardians and auxiliaries. Plato saying anything like property that must be owned by them, must be owned collectively. This could be as a reason of their position and the tendency to abuse it.
§ Aristotle on the other hand criticizes the abolition of private property, as he recognizes the need to own such; even though the private possession of good must be within certain limits. He therefore preached against the excessive accumulation of goods, and advised citizens to use their limited possessions for the benefit of the common good.
ii. Feminism
§ Plato’s ideal state in the republic, supports feminism in that, education for ruling as well as the job of ruling itself, should be open to girls and women like the men. Thus, one’s sex is generally irrelevant to one’s qualification for education or employment.
§ Aristotle asserts that the women are normally subordinate to men, for the male is by nature superior and the female inferior. The men rules but the women are ruled (though not as salves). Hence, Aristotle accepts the customary subordination of women to men.
iii. Ruling ideology and method
· Plato’s ruling ideology for the ideal state has been characterized as the ‘rule of the best man’. For him, the best man is the ‘philosopher king’, who alone knows the ideal standards for the state, and has also being trained to master them.
· Aristotle’s ruling ideology for the ideal state is characterized as the ‘rule of the best laws’. For him, the best laws are ‘a well ordered constitution’ which entails good governance. Also, his ruling ideology has a scientific dimension that is more prescriptive than descriptive.
iv. Family
§ Plato proposes the abolishment of the family in his communism, as he says the guardians and auxiliaries shall have no wife of their own, but in common. Children should be separated from their parents of birth and raised by the state. Hence, there will be more unity; less disharmony.
§ Aristotle disagrees and upheld that the family is the bedrock of the state and fundamental society, which is established according to the law of nature to provide man’s daily needs. Thus, Aristotle despise communism. In his words, ‘… everybody is inclined to neglect something which he expects another to fulfill; as in families, many attendants are often less useful than a few.
CONCLUSION
Due to the fact that Plato was Aristotle’s mentor, they both have quite some political concepts in common. Nevertheless, in line with the partisan trend in philosophy, they still disagree on some more salient issues. This is due to the fact that Aristotle, whom was more prolific in writing, distanced himself from Plato, whom was his mentor, at some point.
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