Plato, Aristotle and Rousseau

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses politics and government structures and organization, highlighting the influences of ancient philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle and Rousseau. This paper stresses how modern day politics are very much based on the thinking of such philosophers.

From the Paper:

"A true understanding of human nature must involve delving deeply into its social constructions. This is a fact philosophers have always known. While modern philosophers attempt this understanding through detailed sociological analyses of government structures, the thinkers of old preferred to outline ideal government forms. Their idealism may seem ridiculous today; nonetheless, it had a definitive impact on the evolution of actual and theoretical governments. Plato, Aristotle and Rousseau were three of the most influential. Their influence brought about the combination of idealism, reason and morality that earmark contemporary political debates. The first of these men, often called "the ultimate philosophical authority" (Ryn), is best known for revealing Socrates, the mythical father of philosophy, through a series of dialogues."

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