plato , aristotle and political philosophy ppog 503

7/30/2019 Plato , Aristotle and Political Philosophy PPOG 503

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Merceda D. Gooding

Plato & Aristotle

PPOG – 503/Liberty University

Please summarize the most important political philosophy-related ideas contributed by

Plato and Aristotle.

1. How did these ideas impact political philosophy?

Plato gave credit to his mentor Socrates as the chief character in platonic dialogues that refer

to a political question: republic, statesman and laws. The platonic doctrine is ideas and

independent realities that impact political philosophy by superiority.

The Republic is a book titled in “Greek Politeia” which called the constitution. The republic

designates the form of government by Plato beliefs that philosophy is the solution to human

problems, rules and injustice; “Philosophy is the highest human activity, and man is an excellent,

perhaps the most excellent, part of the whole”. He believes that a Philosopher should rule the

city and they form the laws, responsibilities and task that are over the state.

Aristotle begins political philosophy in the language and opinions from political educated

men. He studied under Plato however disagree with his theories. Aristotle philosophy is the three

ways of life: “the life of pleasure, the political life and the theoretical or philosophical life”

(Lord, C.). Aristotle believes in different dimensions besides Plato’s theories forms. He believed

that man can fulfill its own potential and be happy to lead a virtuous life socially and politically.

2. How would you characterize the worldview(s) underlying these philosophies?



Plato worldview philosophy were based on wealth as the highest authority and the

organization of groups who are not wealthy, warriors and workers are from the lowest level.

Aristotle worldview was more realistic, utilitarian and believes in the present and the universe.

He distinguishes between the naturals and human things.

3. Please give at least one example of Platonic or Aristolean influence in modern public

policy.

Aristolean influence in the modern public policy that are ruled by rich elites.

Platonic influence in modern public policy is educational reform.

References:

Strauss, L. & Crospsey, J. (1987). History of political philosophy . (1 st ed). Chicago, IL:

University of Chicago Press.



Plato, Aristotle and Political Philosophy

PPOG - 503

Responding to Student’s posting

I agree with your post that Plato’s book the “The Republic” is the meaning of justice. I

would like to add to your post two questions, “Did this book , the Republic connect to Socrates

unjust murder?” “Did Plato discover a different meaning of justice and another form of

government?” The philosophy from the Republic has explicit answers to the question of what is

justice: “justice consists in each part of the city or of the soul” doing that work a part is just if it

does its work or minds its own business “in a certain manner” (Strauss, L., p.59). Plato believed

that the philosopher will do well in the city serving everyone by a natural instinct with the

Platonic concept. Under the Platonic concept the philosopher character is just, self- sufficient and

a servant. He could run a just city and the members of the city are just in contributing to the state.

However, Aristotle challenges Plato’s concepts and theories pertaining to justice. He

believes that Plato focus on the weak points of understanding in demonstrating justice. But I

agree with Aristotle’s beliefs with happiness and it’s the “ultimate goal” that produces justice in

a political community. Aristotle based his justice on equality, law and the exchange of mutual

benefit. He believed “ that justice in the fullest sense exists only in a community of relatively free

and equal men whose relations are regulated by law” (Lord, C. p.128).

References:

Strauss, L. & Crospsey, J. (1987). History of Political Philosophy . (1st ed). Chicago, IL:




Response to Student’s postingPPOG – 503

Plato, Aristotle and Political Philosophy

In response to Jennifer post, the world view underlying the philosophies from Plato is a

realist and his ideas were based on sociopolitical concepts. However, Plato didn’t believe

individualism, he believed in organized groups by classes in society and philosophers should act

as rulers. He was definitely not a democratic however a dualism. Dualism is the systematic

concept of mind and body stems from the philosophy of the Greek philosopher Plato (429-347

BC) (Philosophy of the Mind). Plato's understanding of the soul's relationship to the body is his

"theory of forms’ and idea concepts.

Another post you believed that Aristotle characterized worldview as a social democratic

liberalism. I believe that Aristotle thought democracy was a negative form of government,

oligarchy is rule of the wealthy and the deviant form is tyranny. He believed in the utilitarian

concepts and the correct forms are monarchy and aristocracy, while the correct from is called by

the term common to all regimes “polity” (politeia) (Lord, Carnes p. 139).

References:

Philosophy of the Mind. Retrieved May 19, 2012 from

http://www.philosophyonline.co.uk/oldsite/pom/pom_dualism.htm

Strauss, L. & Crospsey, J. (1987). History of political philosophy . (1st ed). Chicago, IL:




plato , aristotle and political philosophy ppog 503

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