Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
Plato Versus Aristotle - Papers

Plato Versus Aristotle


Plato and Aristotle, two philosophers in the 4th century, hold polar views on politics and philosophy in general. This fact is very cleverly illustrated by Raphael's "School of Athens" (1510-11; Stanza della Segnatura, Vatican), where Plato is portrayed looking up to the higher forms; and Aristotle is pointing down because he supports the natural sciences. In a discussion of politics, the stand point of each philosopher becomes an essential factor. It is not coincidental that Plato states in The Republic that Philosopher Rulers who possess knowledge of the good should be the governors in a city state. His strong interest in metaphysics is demonstrated in The Republic various times: for ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

government. His less metaphysical approach to politics makes Aristotle more in tune with the modern world, yet he is far from modern.
Plato's concept of what politics and government should be is a direct result of his belief in the theory of forms. The theory of forms basically states that there is a higher "form" for everything that exists in the world. Each material thing is simply a representation of the real thing which is the form. According to Plato, most people cannot see the forms, they only see their representation or their shadows, as in the simile of the cave. Only those who love knowledge and contemplate on the reality of things will achieve understanding of the forms. Philosophers, who by definition are knowledge lovers, are the only beings who can reach true knowledge. This concept has to be taken a step further because in The Republic, Plato states that philosophers should be the rulers since they are the only ones who hold the form of the good. Plato seems to be ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.


Already a member? Login

it (The Republic, pp 56-62). Although a person is not self-sufficient, a composition of people--a state--satisfies the needs of all its members. Furthermore, members can specialize on their natural fortitudes and become more productive members of society.
States are going to form, whether purposefully or coincidentally. For this reason, certain rules have to be enacted for the well-being of the state. The main way to institutionalize rules is through government and in the form of laws. Plato's The Republic is not an explication of laws of the people. It is a separation of power amongst three classes--Rulers, Auxiliaries, Commoners--that makes the most of each person's natural ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library.
Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports,
and research papers in 2 minutes or less.


CITE THIS PAGE:

Plato Versus Aristotle. (2005, May 18). Retrieved November 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Plato-Versus-Aristotle/27060
"Plato Versus Aristotle." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 18 May. 2005. Web. 23 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Plato-Versus-Aristotle/27060>
"Plato Versus Aristotle." Essayworld.com. May 18, 2005. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Plato-Versus-Aristotle/27060.
"Plato Versus Aristotle." Essayworld.com. May 18, 2005. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Plato-Versus-Aristotle/27060.
JOIN NOW
Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays


PAPER DETAILS
Added: 5/18/2005 12:53:22 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1919
Pages: 7

Save | Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS
Save and find your favorite essays easier

SIMILAR ESSAYS
» Justice In Plato Versus Justic
» Oedipus The King
» Bioethics In A Brave New World
» Literary Critique Of Alexander ...
» RAP CENORSHIP
» Moral Basis for Affirmative Act...
Copyright | Cancel | Contact Us

Copyright © 2024 Essayworld. All rights reserved