Plato and Aristotle: a Comparison

Plato and Aristotle atomic number 18 two of the earliest known thinkers in metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Although Aristotle was a student of Plato, the two had some very contrasting ideas.MetaphysicsPlato and Aristotle considerd in the belief of forms, although they had different definitions of the concept. Platos take on metaphysics can be labeled as dualism. Plato developed his ideas a priori he formulated his own explanations of an ideal reality and utilize them to the observable world.Reality had two levels for Plato the level of the observable objects, and the level of forms (the ideal). The observable aspect of the world are but imperfect copies of the forms, and observable objects are impermanent, as contradictory to forms, which are eternal. Platos forms can be understood as blueprints that existed outside of the observable, and on which every social function observable depends thus these forms are to a greater extent real than the observable. Plato uses analogi es for this explanation in his fable of the cave, for example, lifetime immobile prisoners see only shadows on a cave wall and think that the shadows are the ultimate reality.Although it cannot be disputed that the shadows are real, it is the objects that are casting the shadows that are, in a sense, the true reality. Aside from the well-known allegory of the cave, Plato used a number of other metaphors to explain his metaphysical views, much(prenominal) as the metaphor of the sun, and the divided line.Conversely, Aristotle developed his ideas a posterioriby directly observing the world and then deriving formulas for this observable reality. His primary concern in this field of battle was causality. Aristotle believed in only one level of reality, and he believed that form had no existence outside of physical, observable reality.Aristotles concern on the relationship of form and exit led to his concepts of causality. He believed that there are four very basic causes that can be applied to anything the Material cause, or, in Aristtles words, that out of which a thing comes to be, and which persists, the formal cause, the statement of essence (which states that anything is determined by the definition or archetype), the Efficient cause, (the primary source of change), and the Final cause, (the end, or the intent of an action).EpistemologyPlatos epistemology holds that all companionship is innate, which means the process of learning is actually just a recollection of knowledge buried deep in the reason Plato believed that before birth the soul had a perfect knowledge of everything. This is the basic precept of Platos Theory of Ideas.According to Plato, ideas are permanent and absolute. In Platos view all human actions can be judged through the standard of these concrete and absolute ideas, but Aristotle refutes Platos theory on the grounds that Platos arguments are inconclusivestating that Platos arguments are not convincing or leave behind to contradictor y conclusions.Aristotle refutes Platos claim that Ideas are absolute, perfect entities outside of human experience, but argues that, on the unrepentant, ideas exist in the mind alone and are simply duplicates or interpretations of things that are experienced. Aristotle claims that all standards are based on things that are first experienced.Aristotle agreed with Platos notion that the immaterial (form) and the material (matter) were distinctly separate entities however, he states that forms (or ideas) exist in the mind and are dependent on the observer, and argues that Platos theory of ideas goes by the incorrect premise of absolute universal definitions for material, observable things.EthicsPlatos ethics states that good is innate(p) of knowledge and evil is born of ignorance (lack of knowledge). Hence Plato argues that the path to a good life is purely intellectual.Platos absolutism dictates that there is only one right flight of action, one that is true in every case and exists independent of human opinion or interpretation.On the other hand Aristotle adopted a scientific, falsifiable approach to ethical problems. He believed that in order for human actions to be judged as moral or immoral, they must have a certain arcdegree of health and wealth. Aristotle believed that ethical knowledge is not certain knowledge, like metaphysics and epistemology, but general knowledge.Also, Aristotle argued that the achievement of good must be a practical discipline, as opposed to Platos heavily theoretical approach. He claimed that to become good cannot be achieved simply by studying virtuousness, but that one must practice virtue in everyday life. He called the ultimate goal of this discipline the Highest Good.Also, for Aristotle the achievement of happiness was by application of the golden mean, which just means alleviation in everyday life. Aristotle argued that happiness could not be found only in pleasure, or only in fame and honor. He claims that happiness can be achieved through knowledge of humanitys specific purpose that is, according to him, by ascertaining the specific function of man. political sympathiesIn his political theories, Plato focused on formulating the perfect society by decision ways to cure humanity of its social and personal failures. Plato, in Republic, described the ideal government as having a philosopher-king as its leader, a king with a completely just soul who would thus be able to run a completely just government. Plato also argued that since he can imagine such a leader, than such a leader can exist.Platos utopia consists of three non-hereditary classes Guardians, Auxiliaries, and Workers. The guardians are wise and good rulers and high-level civil servants, the auxiliaries soldiers and lower civil servants, and the workers composed of weak laborers.Unlike Plato, Aristotle was not concerned with the perfection of society, but simply its improvement, within what he believed were a more realistic context. Arist otle agreed that Platos government, with its philosopher-king, would be ideal, but did not believe that such a person could exist, and thus dismissed the possibility that such a government could exist, and considers other systems that he believed are more realistic.Platos belief in this philosopher-king reflects his theories of knowledge, which have the a priori approach to reality. On the other hand, Aristotle bases his beliefs on the observable. And claims that since he has never encountered such a completely just man, he must price reduction that possibility of his existence.Aristotle argues that dividing society into distinct classes excludes men with ambition and wisdom but are not in the right class to hold political power. other argument against Platos class system is that guardians will, by nature of their work, be deprived of happiness, and such guardians will naturally assume that the same strict lifestyle be imposed on all of society. Aristotle valued moderation more, i n contrast to Platos utopia, which carried expectations to such extremes that it was no longer realistic to Aristotle.Aristotle derived a theory of Democracy, where he puts violence on the polis, or city-state, which allows political participation by the average citizen. He claimed that the people at large should be sovereign rather than the few best. However, this is contrary to Platos beliefs, who argues that the publics decisions would be based on mere belief and not fact.Essentially, we can describe Plato as having been in pursuit of a philosophical, idealized truth, whereas Aristotle was concerned with the more worldly and realistic concerns of the citizen and the government. Although they had widely divergent views, they had essentially the same goal of a better society.ReferencesSilverman, A. (2003). Platos Middle Period Metaphysics and Epistemology. The Stanford encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2003 Edition). Retrieved February 24, 2006, from http//plato.stanford.edu/arc hives/sum2003/entries/plato-metaphysics.Cohen, S. M. (2003). Aristotles Metaphysics. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2003 Edition).Retrieved February 24, 2006, from http//plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2003/entries/aristotle-metaphysics.Frede, D. (2003). Platos Ethics An Overview. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2003 Edition). Retrieved February 24, 2006, from http//plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2003/entries/plato-ethics.Kraut, R. (2005). Aristotles Ethics. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2005 Edition). Rerieved February 24, 2006, from http//plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2005/entries/aristotle-ethics.Miller, F. (2002). Aristotles Political Theory. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2002 Edition). Retrieved February 24, 2006, from http//plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2002/entries/aristotle-politics.Brown, E. (2003). Platos Ethics and Politics in The Republic. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2003 Edition). Re trieved February 24, 2006, from http//plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2003/entries/plato-ethics-politics.Aristotle. (2006, February). Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Retrieved February 24, 2006, from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle.Plato. (2006, February). 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