Plato, Aristotle and the Ideal State

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that two of the greatest philosophers that emerged from Greece in the fourth century B.C.E., Plato and Aristotle, gave civilization some of its greatest philosophical discourses. The writer notes that both tried to envision the ideal state. The writer then points out that neither Plato nor Aristotle believed strongly in individual freedom. The writer concludes that both Plato and Aristotle have had a profound influence on philosophy since their own time. Further, the writer maintains that remarkably, these two men are remembered as figures in Athens, which is considered the source of modern democracy, but neither of them believed strongly in individual freedom.

From the Paper:

"Much of what Aristotle wrote in Politics was a response to Plato's Republic. Particularly, he felt that Socrates/Plato had not presented a sound argument when contending that possessions, women, and children should all be held in common. To begin, this practice was intended to unify the state, but it would not do so. That which is owned by all is effectively owned by none and neglected by all. Economically, it would lead to under-work and over-consumption as everyone would feel a right to take from the common produce, but would resent having to contribute to it. This communism would destroy temperance and liberality in the citizens, but would only encourage covetousness and jealousy."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aristotle. Politics. Ed. G. P. Goold; trans. H. Rackham. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1977.
• Barnes, Jonathan. Aristotle. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 1982.
• Ferguson, John. Aristotle. Boston, Massachusetts: Twayne Publishers 1972.
• Plato. "The Republic." The Dialogues of Plato. Trans. Benjamin Jowett. Chicago, Illinois: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1952.
• Russell, Bertrand. A History of Western Philosophy. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1945.

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