Abstract
This paper looks at Plato and Aristotle in their different assessments of what leadership should be, as a set of forces that should bring out the best in citizens towards cohesive and stable city-states. The paper discusses how for Plato, the polis had to have an elite prepared to truly lead, since an example set at the top is more apt to be followed elsewhere. The paper then discusses how Aristotle noted the mistrust of oligarchy and the need to equip all to be better citizens who felt they were not simply directed.

From the Paper
"Plato and Aristotle stressed the importance of the good government of a polis that would permit its citizens to become fully virtuous human beings. However, their ideas differed strongly in terms of the role of politics in bringing about good government as a framework that could enable the common good. This paper explores significant differences that continue to surface in our contemporary study of both political science and political philosophy. It can seem when reflecting on the works discussed here, as though Humanity really has two choices when seeing..."

Tags:plato, aristotle, leadership

Abstract
The paper relates that for Plato, the most important tenet of discussion was that ethical or virtuous actions are not easily defined; that we may formulate more knowledge about our beliefs through dialectic than through assumption. The paper explains that even the bravest soldier, responsible for the lives of thousands of men, will not always be able to demonstrate the criteria for courage.

From the Paper
"In "Laches", Plato explores the nature of the virtue of courage. Illustrating the concept through dialogue between Socrates and two distinguished Athenian generals, Laches and Nicias, Plato examines what it means to be a man. The conversation progresses from a discussion about taking a stand in battle and having the ability to defend one's position despite the difficulty of the circumstances, toward a more oblique understanding of virtue and nobility. Laches, in this dialectic, represents the student. Socrates notes that if one has internalized an understanding of the virtue of courage, one will..."

Tags:plato, philosophy, dialogues

Abstract
Religious references abound--not surprising for the daughter of a clergyman--but her world view is far from the simplistic one of traditional Christianity. Good and evil, as are heaven and hell, seem inextricably intertwined in this wild setting. Rather than being two opposing forces, each resides in us. The real evil is committed when we go against our true selves, as Heathcliff and Catherine do. This may be seen, perhaps, most clearly in Bronte's depiction of place, and in the characters of the two lovers, Catherine and Heathcliff.

Abstract
This paper answers some important questions in connection with reason, God and religion with reference to ancient philosophers. This paper shows how these philosophers gave us some interesting views on the subject of God, which may prove helpful in understanding the nature of good in a world where evil often dominates.

From the Paper
"Socrates maintained that "reason" must dominate every community and its beliefs or else the world would turn into a chaotic, poorly organized unit. He was of the view that with reason comes knowledge, which further helps the statesmen in acting virtuously. Virtue is then the most important product of reason, which is needed to save a society. Here it is important to keep in mind that Socrates wasn't concerned with reason for its own sake but because of the notion that it could give birth to knowledge and virtue. It is also critical to know that for Socrates, reason was not connected with an ability to separate right from wrong. Instead he felt that reason was something that helped a man attain "natural order". "

Tags:nature, good, religion, reason, moral, just

Abstract
This paper examines Plato and Nietzsche in terms of the good life, using a Nietzschean argument because it fits quite well. The paper explains that Nietzsche's non-normative systems fit with Plato's absolute formulas as a good match and contrast. The paper concludes that there isn't a clear answer to the question ""Does the theory of forms work?"" as a yes or no as this paper, but rather ""It works, but not perfectly and only in a particular way. "

From the Paper
"About a work such as Plato's "The Republic", which has been widely read in philosophy for over two thousand years, one thing is certain - that it has longevity. One thing which may be questioned though is, how well has it held up? In the case of "The Republic", remarkably well - but certain elements of Plato's theory may be called into question. This paper will examine one of Plato's fundamental theories, his theory of forms, and attempt to look at it in a very particular way and answer the seemingly simple question - does it work? In reality though, this question is far from simple, and the paper will focus on one particular thing it might..."

Tags:plato, forms, nietzsche

Abstract
This paper is an analysis and presentation on the philosophies of ancient Greek philosopher Plato. The author evaluates how Plato conceptualizes human nature, the composition of State and the possibility of a philosopher-king.

From the Paper
"The Ancient Greek philosophers presented some of the most radical thoughts on the philosophical subjects of their times. The nature of humans, the rights of the individual, the state and the law and the concept of freedom were all presented in a manner that was for their times, almost heresy. For the readers of today their thoughts seem to be somewhat limited in their scope mainly because the nature of the states that we have today are what the people of the past could not even begin to imagine. One such philosopher that students and critics of philosophy are fascinated by is Plato."

Tags:philosophy, greek, human, nature, king, state, social, socrates, knowledge, virtue, guardians, republic, politics

Abstract
This paper discusses that both Plato and Aristotle had conceptions of the good life as something to explain and to achieve. The author believes that Aristotle agreed with Plato that everything in this world strives toward the Good, though each defined the Good in his own way. The author concludes that Aristotle and Plato both make an association between what is good in this world, some large concept with a spiritual source.

From the Paper
"In the "Apology," Plato describes the trial of Socrates and shows how Socrates denies that he has been in any way a danger to the young. Socrates says that the most important concern for him, and a concern that should be most important for everyone, is to search into himself and other men. He says that he has been charged with this responsibility by God, for that is the role of the philosopher. This is his manner of living, and it is his manner of living because God has said it shall be this way. Socrates makes it clear that he will obey God before he obeys his fellow man. This also would be a clear definition of the good life for Plato, a life of contemplation and integrity."

Tags:explanation, achievement, trial, spiritual, definition

Abstract
According to Freud, human nature is guided by superego and a relative state of morality. On the other hand, Socrates and Plato believe that human nature is determined by reason and absolute standards of morality. This paper guides the reader through the philosophies of these three thinkers to conclude their theories regarding human nature.

From the Paper
"Freud's entire theory regarding human psyche and nature is based upon the hedonistic principle where superego plays an important role whereas Socrates and Plato believe that man is a rational being and because of this, reason plays the most important part in developing his nature and assisting him in discovering the highest good or finally attaining self-fulfillment. Though Freud believes that man operates on the pleasure principle, he asserts this principle does not allow any relevant space to super-ego. In Freud's three-part model of the mind, the superego assumes the role of conscience, acting as an internal monitor over the actions of the ego. However the role of super-ego as a conscience is limited to its role as a source of guilt. Freud believes that man is not driven by reason but by the super-ego's role as a source of guilt. He asserts that man is only restrained from doing any harm to fellow beings because of the presence of super-ego which is both a conscience and a source of guilt. Since presence of superego will make a man feel guilty in event of a wrong action, Freud believes that this guilt is the primary restraint in human psyche, provided by superego and not reason."

Tags:ego, super, reason, morality, standard, guide

Abstract
This paper analyzes how Plato's "Republic" describes a society that is completely rational, based on Plato's concept of the good life and developed to create and protect that sort of life within the context of a civil state. It examines how Plato seeks in this dialogue a definition of the perfect life and the perfect state to promote and sustain that life. In particular, it looks at how in Book I, the issue is how to define justice and how the first conception of justice is justice based on traditional morality.

From the Paper
"The concept of justice that Thrasymachos expresses is a relative concept of justice, a concept that changes according to the situation. He finds that there is one kind of justice in a just society and another kind of justice in an unjust society, as far as individual action is concerned. In fact, Thrasymachos argues specifically that might makes right, that the group in power makes the rules and thus that justice is determined by their power. He does not admit that there are any absolutes in terms of just behavior, for if there were the criteria would be imposed on the state as well as on the individual. Rather, he sees the matter as differing according to the nature of the state and believes that indeed the state has the right to make such formulations of what is right as the state deems necessary. It is then incumbent upon the individual citizen to live up to the nature of the state of which he or she is a part."

Tags:thrasymachos, state, morality, socrates

Abstract
The paper discusses the abstract ideology of democracy that both Plato and Aristotle deem to be a good form of government, but not one that can exist in reality. The paper shows how both philosophers have similar definitions of democracy that provide an ideological, yet impractical form of governing within modern American democratic principles.

From the Paper
"One governmental aspect of Plato's Republic revolves around ruling for the greater good or "democratic" society in the well-ordered soul. The basis for the well ordered soul for Plato and Socrates is related the central concept of the common or greater good of an ideal society in The Republic. However, the natural order of the soul demands a conception of the 'general welfare' of society, which depicts the idea of the common good, as present in Plato's city. This law of 'suffering' for the just and civil greater good of society is the precept of modern law, but Plato argues that human nature rejects suffering in the 'reality' of governmental procedure (Plato 43)."

Tags:government, classes, elite, monarchy, oligarchy