Abstract This essay is a comparison study of the works and views of Plato and Aristotle. The author explains that one of the basic ideas that these two great minds disagreed on was the value of art and of poetry, especially the merits of the Greek tragedy. Aristotle believed that art in all of its forms was a beneficial and necessary outlet for the expression of man's innermost feelings and fears. On the other hand, Plato condemned art and poetry. This paper examines the different ways in which these two great minds interpreted the arts and their purpose allows for a greater understanding of the workings of these two great minds and the two great channels of philosophical thought which they produced.
From the Paper "Three and a half centuries before the birth of Christ, an ancient Athenian known as Plato expressed this negative view of the value of poetry and the arts in an essay he called The Republic. To the occupants of ancient Greece, drama and tragedy were considered part of the poetic arts, and to Plato, the most revered and respected of ancient Grecian philosophers, poetry and art misrepresent heroes, encouraged moral weakness and went against the principles of his notion of the ideal polis, or state. In The Republic, Plato condemns not only the value of poetry, but also the value of art in general. This condemnation was eventually to be refuted in the year 350 BC in an essay entitled The Poetics, an essay written by Plato's philosophical prot?g?, Aristotle."
Abstract This paper looks at two of the classical experts on rhetoric, two philosophers, two ancient thinkers from Greece - Plato and Aristotle - who while they were close had differing opinions and beliefs regarding this art and way of thinking and arguing. The following essay looks at Plato's Gorgias and Phaedrus in order to study just what this man's thoughts on rhetoric were. Then the focus shifts to Aristotle, whose Rhetoric and Poetics will reveal this philosopher's wisdom on the subject.
From the Paper "Aristotle and Plato on Rhetoric "Rhetoric" is a term thrown around too often today, with the user most likely having no clue of its meaning or rich background. From "rhetorical" questions to claims of politicians merely using "rhetoric," too many times the term and overall idea is exercised without a complete understanding of exactly what "rhetoric" is."
Abstract The paper looks at Pericles' endorsement of classical democracy as opposed to Plato and Aristotle's condemnation of democratic society. The paper discusses how Plato and Aristotle embrace some form of monarchy as the best possible organization of society and explains how they justify this in very different manners. The paper relates that people today are likely to find Pericles' idealistic vision of democracy appealing, while still recognizing that Plato and Aristotle's lines of reasoning retain some merit.
From the Paper "Although the organization of the Greek city state of Athens is often idealized in modern culture as being the birthplace of democracy, the truth is that many major figures in Greek history objected to the Greek form of government. Classical democracy, as it is known, was perhaps most eloquently endorsed by Pericles in his "Funeral Oration," and documented by Thucydides. Yet perhaps the two most influential figures in Greek history, Plato and Aristotle, viewed democracy as an unjust or corruptible way to run a society. Whereas Plato objected to democracy upon largely theoretical grounds arising from his conception of justice, Aristotle believed that justice was not the only concern in forming a society but that practical stability was also a key requirement."
Abstract This paper addresses how Plato and Aristotle, although from similar traditions, differed in their perceptions of happiness. The comparison is done by addressing Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics" and Plato's "The Republic".
Abstract This report looks at and compares some of the writings of Plato and Aristotle concerning the subject of the struggle between liberty and authority. The report concludes that Aristotle seems to favor authority while Plato tends to favor liberty above all. The report also examines some arguments from each of these philosophers and analyzes direct texts in an effort to answer questions about how these thinkers felt about liberty and authority.
From the Paper "In Aristotle's works, the support of authority over liberty becomes clear from a number of angles. This is not to say that the philosopher discounted liberty as an important concept, but rather is to say that Aristotle saw the authority of the state as ultimate, and designed to protect humanity from the liberty of those who would do harm to the greater good. "Every state is a community of some kind, and every community is established with a view of some good... but if all communities aim at some good, the state or political community, which is the highest of all, and which embraces all the rest, aims at good in a greater degree than any other, and of the highest good" (Aristotle).
This shows and reflects on how Aristotle thought of the state as being the highest sort of community, and in the converse realtionship the liberty of the individual is comparatively unimportant, unless this liberty works to serve and protect the state, rather than challenge it or attempt to change it. "The state comes into existence for the sake of a good life. And therefore, if the earlier forms of society are natural, so is the state, for it is the end of them, and the nature of a thing is its end. For what each thing is when fully developed, we call its nature, wehther we are speaking of a man, a horse, or a family" (Aristotle).
Therefore, Aristotle saw the state as being the full development of a society in which liberty was important. But this does not mean that Aristotle supported liberty of individuals against the state; it is more like saying he supported liberty, but only if it served the greater good."
Abstract The paper examines the similarities present in the beliefs of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The paper looks particularly at their logic and argumentation, their views towards knowledge and how best to acquire it, what love signifies for them and their definitions of existence. The paper shows how while the similarities between the three are significant, Aristotle appears to be the non-conformist in the group in some important respects.
From the Paper "About Socrates' logic and argumentation many things can be said. For one thing, it appears as though he proceeds from generally-accepted facts to general conclusions based upon those facts. Like Plato, it appears as though Socrates believes that real knowledge could not be achieved through the human senses but only through philosophical inquiry into metaphysical items. By comparison, Plato viewed logic (and, within that, argumentation) as being similar to a mathematical proof inasmuch as the terms being used to arrive at a higher state of understanding must be clearly defined and the procedures by which one may define terms and/or deconstruct "figures" - so that the relations between their parts may be clearly established - must be clearly defined, as well (White 2002; please see Hogben 1999)."
Tags: logic, argumentation, knowledge, understanding, love, existence
Abstract This essay explains, compares, and contrasts the theories and discussions of Plato and Aristotle regarding the best political association. Quotes from "Politics" and the "Republic" are used to support the author's thesis.
Abstract This paper discusses how both Plato and Aristotle attempted to philosophically construct the ideal society and the most suitable form of government. It explains how two of the main areas on which the two philosophers disagree are the importance of private property and the need for a guardian class.
From the Paper "Plato's socialistic views ascribe to the ideal society, one in which justice is ever-present. Private property by definition invites injustice and inequality because it places too much power in the hands of the owners, who may not have righteous discretion. Especially among the working classes, the citizens who are not members of the guardian class, private property is dangerous. The multitudes do not naturally know what is best for them in terms of government; nor can they perceive the most just use of their personal belongings. Women fall into this category by necessity, because they control the means of reproduction. All children being born have the potential to become great men (or women). However, reproduction is a privilege, not a right. If Aristotle agrees that only certain people have the potential to rule justly, properly, and with wisdom, then he must also agree with Plato that reproduction must be controlled strictly."
Abstract This paper presents historical background and the philosophical theories of Plato and Aristotle. The paper examines and compares how these ancient Greek masters viewed issues, such as religion, truth, reality, human beings, and existentialism.
From the Paper "Although Aristotle believed in the existence of God, his theory about God differs a bit from that of Plato's. In Aristotle's Physics, he theorized that everything is constantly moving and that such movement has no beginning nor end. Thus, there must be an eternal being to "produce the eternal motion" and who is also unmovable. Therefore, God exists as the "Unmoved Mover" (Collinson 24). Aristotle agreed with Plato in that God is eternal, unchanging, and perfect. However, Aristotle added that God is also a person, "since intelligence is the essence of being a person." Aristotle viewed God as one who doesn't produce the motion per se, rather God is one who "does so in the virtue of being the Final Cause of the universe, the ultimate good towards which everything moves" (25)."
Abstract This paper discusses, compares and contrasts the philosophies of the three Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. According to this paper, each believed that one could fulfill one's optimal function as a human being only within the company of others, and therefore as an integral part of human society.
From the Paper "Socrates is wise enough to know what he does not know, and to question what others think they know (which infuriates others, thus, as Plato clearly implies, Socrates' predicament of being on trial). In his first speech of the Apology, Socrates recalls a journey he took to the Delphic Oracle, where the Oracle had declared no one wiser than Socrates. Subsequently, Socrates, in questioning poets; politicians; artists, etc., found that "those who had the highest reputation were nearly the most deficient, while those who were thought to be inferior were more knowledgeable" (Jowett, The trial and death of Socrates). Similarly, within the courtroom scenes of the Apology, Socrates' prosecutor Meletus is clearly uninterested in truth, but instead (like many prosecutors of public trials, yesterday and today) in gaining a conviction and pleasing the public. Socrates' accusers are, similarly, less interested in truth than in exacting revenge for Socrates' past pursuit of it, and in rendering Socrates no longer a threat. "
Abstract This paper explains that, although Plato and Aristotle's views on society and its role were fairly distinct, they had an identical purpose, to create a dignified living for communities. The author points out that concepts of Aristotle are different from those of Plato because Aristotle is an empiricist - he appreciates the relevance of immediate examination to find out the truth; whereas, Plato feels that simple logical conclusion can confirm the ultimate authenticity. The paper relates that, employing Socrates as an illusory narrator, Plato regards the character and the importance of justice as they are observed in the composition of society in general and in the character of an individual human being. Aristotle, disciple of Plato, broadened the concept of virtue by reasoning that righteous behavior should take up some midway between extreme conduct and conduct that lacks.
From the Paper "Concurrently, forgiveness is usually considered as a significant virtue - a society in which there is complete lack of forgiveness will be a society that is oppressive, there is a dearth of freedom and would be devoid of the three fundamental ethics of compassion. That is strange; nevertheless, since forgiveness basically needs that justice not be performed. It has to be understood at this point that forgiveness is not an issue of showing sympathy or behaving well, even though these virtues might result in the likelihood of expressing increased forgiveness. Forgiveness even is not equal to empathy or compassion. The thing forgiveness involves is that certain things less than justice is one. In situations where a criminal who has been convicted begs for forgiveness, in that case he is requesting that a lenient penalty be given compared to what is slated for. While a Christian proscribes before God for forgiveness, she is requesting Him for a lesser penalty than He has in store for her."
Abstract Music is an important element in life. Every person has the ability to listen to music and evaluate it based on his or her own personal tastes. This paper explains Aristotle's belief that measuring the worth of music based on personal likes and dislikes was the only appropriate way to determine music value. The paper also discusses Plato's view which differed from Aristotle's. Plato claimed that certain criteria had to be used to evaluate music. These criteria were necessary to alleviate subjective arguments and provide a universal system of measurement important in an ordered society. The paper then discusses the point that, while it is Aristotle's concept of music evaluation that was ultimately embraced by society, Plato's musical evaluation process can still be attributed to the manner in which some people believe that the value of music should be measured. Plato believed that music had the power to alter human emotion.
Abstract The paper discusses Plato's epistemological theories, beliefs on ethics, love and music, theory of the primordial existence of three sexes and his political ideas. The paper then looks at the works of Aristotle, who was in many ways Plato's direct follower, although he was more methodical than Plato. The paper examines Aristotle's ideas on substance, essence and virtue. The paper concludes that Plato's and Aristotle's philosophies are essential to the Western tradition.
From the Paper "Plato and Aristotle are two of the philosophers whose works have not only survived the test of time but that are actually taken to be the foundation of Western philosophy. Their works span a wealth of philosophical concepts and notions, being concerned at the same time with metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, ontology, politics and so forth. As it will be seen, despite the fact that Aristotle is Plato's student, his philosophy nevertheless diverges in many points from that of his master. The systems of thought belonging to the two philosophers can hardly be reduced to a few schematic notions, but the crucial aspects will be discussed and compared."
Abstract This paper explores the similarities and differences between Plato's and Aristotle's treatment of democracy. By analyzing the work in terms of Plato as a philosopher and radical, and Aristotle as a political scientist and moderate, the two presentations are compared and contrasted side by side. Marx is also used to comment on the society.
From the Paper "In terms of Plato and Aristotle's treatment of democracy, functions of perspective, attitude, and backgrounds shape the similarities and differences of these two profoundly influential thinkers. Plato's search for the "truth" and the magnitude of his work has made him synonymous with discipline of Philosophy, on the other hand, Aristotle, although a philosopher as well, is often credited as being one of the originators of political science. With those two distinctions in mind, as we discuss democracy as "a government by the people," the two thinkers perspectives can be classified is that of the philosopher, Plato, and that of the political scientist, Aristotle."
Abstract The paper reveals that there are many similarities between the works of Plato and Aristotle, yet there are also differences that are so significant as to render some of their works almost opposites. The paper explains that both men analyzed many aspects of life looking for truth, beauty, the reasons behind life itself and the reason for the universe and its creation. The paper relates that the main difference is that Plato looked at things from a very grand scale while Aristotle examined more minute issues of human nature.
Outline:
Introduction
Aristotle Plato Conclusion
From the Paper "Much can be learned and understood from both Plato and Aristotle, but some of what they discuss is difficult to understand in today's world of technology and fast-paced living. Both of these men looked for the deeper meaning in things, instead of only seeing what is on the surface, like so many people do today. In order to understand either man, it is necessary for one to slow down and really read what they are writing, allowing the messages that they are sending to actually sink in and make sense."
