Politics Of Plato And Aristotle Term paper

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To compare the political theories of two great philosophers of politics is to

first examine each theory in depth. Plato is regarded by many experts as the

first writer of political philosophy, and Aristotle is recognized as the first

political scientist. These two men were great thinkers. They each had ideas of

how to improve existing societies during their individual lifetimes. It is

necessary to look at several areas of each theory to seek the difference in

each. The main focus of Plato is a perfect society. He creates a blueprint for a

utopian society, in his book The Republic, out of his disdain for the tension of

political life (Hacker, 24). This blueprint was a sketch of a society in which

the problems he thought were present in his society would be eased (Hacker 24).

Plato sought to cure the afflictions of both human society and human personality

(Hacker 24). Essentially what Plato wants to achieve is a perfect society.

Aristotle, unlike Plato, is not concerned with perfecting society. He just wants

to improve on the existing one. Rather than produce a blueprint for the perfect

society, Aristotle suggested, in his work, The Politics, that the society itself

should reach for the best possible system that could be attained (Hacker 71).

Aristotle relied on the deductive approach, while Aristotle is an example of an

inductive approach (Hacker 71). Utopia is a solution in abstract, a solution

that has no concrete problem (Hacker 76). There is no solid evidence that all

societies are in need of such drastic reformation as Plato suggests (Hacker 76).

Aristotle discovers that the best possible has already been obtained (Hacker

76). All that can be done is to try to improve on the existing one. Plato's

utopia consists of three distinct, non-hereditary class systems (Hacker 32). The

Guardians consist of non ruling Guardians and ruling Guardians. The non-rulers

are a higher level of civil servants and the ruling is the society's policy

makers (Hacker 32). Auxilaries are soldiers and minor civil servants (Hacker

32). Finally the Workers, are composed of farmers and artisans, most commonly

unskilled laborers (Hacker 32). The Guardians are to be wise and good rulers. It

is important that the rulers who emerge must be a class of craftsmen who are

public-spirited in temperament and skilled in the arts of government areas

(Hacker 33). The guardians are to be placed in a position in which they are

absolute rulers. They are supposed to be the select few who know what is best

for society (Hacker 33). Aristotle disagrees with the idea of one class holding

discontinuing political power (Hacker 85). The failure to allow circulation

between classes excludes those men who may be ambitious, and wise, but are not

in the right class of society to hold any type of political power (Hacker 85).

Aristotle looks upon this ruling class system as an ill-conceived political

structure (Hacker 86). He quotes "It is a further objection that he

deprives his Guardians even of happiness, maintaining that happiness of the

whole state which should be the object of legislation," ultimately he is

saying that Guardians sacrifice their happiness for power and control. Guardians

who lead such a strict life will also think it necessary to impose the same

strict lifestyle on the society it governs (Hacker 86). Aristotle puts a high

value on moderation (Hacker 81). Many people favor moderation because it is

part-liberal and part-conservative. There is so much of Plato's utopia that is

undefined and it is carried to extremes that no human being could ever fulfill

its requirements (Hacker 81). Aristotle believes that Plato is underestimating

the...

Hacker, Andrew. Political Theory: Philosophy, Ideology, Science. New York:
Macmillan, 1961. You should cite this paper as follows:

MLA Style
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