Plato Vs. Aristotle

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a stable 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 ...

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should concentrate on developing 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 ...

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