... will be well governed. Therefore, the other people need to follow the guardians in order to keep the state well functioned. In other words, Plato thinks unity of the state is the key to keep most people happy. If everyone plays their own role well, the state will prosper and everyone ... will be happy. In contrast to Plato, Aristotle was not that interested in seeking absolute truth. Rather than that, Aristotle favors an ideal that is more practical and real at his time ... raise up state problems by not letting the poor benefit from the state's public policy. At the same time, althoug...

• Word Count: 1339
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... it a long time ago and who actually thought of the things they talked about, and not only remade someone else's thoughts. I chose Plato and Aristotle because they were the first and they really came up with their theories. To compare the political theories of two great philosophers of ... that works perfectly and there are no mistakes in the governing system. I don't think that all societies are in need of such drastic reformation as Plato thinks. I would probably be more interested in Aristotle's idea. Aristotle discovers that the best possible has already been obtained. He says that th...

• Word Count: 1309
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• Grade Level: High School

... of everyone according to his or her own ability, in order to improve the over all production possibility of society is a basic Communist concept. Many attributes and ideas in Plato's dialogue The Republic can be seen chronologically later in governments and political systems of Totalitarianism, Communism and egalitarianism. The concept of equality for all, including education, and other government ... provided services is a very important part of egalitarian system. However, some traces of Communism and Totalitarianism can also be seen in Plato's dialogue. Plato suggests that every memb...

• Word Count: 1053
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... maker's create an idea of truth. Finally there are the imitators. The imitators are the third descendent from the truth. Homer was considered an imitator. Plato writes: Well, I will tell you, although I have from my earliest youth had an awe and love of Homer which even now makes the words ... and teacher of the whole noble tragic company; but a man is not to be reverenced more then the truth, and therefore I will speak out. (2) Although Plato had a love for Homer, he felt Homer painted a false picture with his poetry. Homer's poetry was very descriptive, "Now stripping back his rags Od...

• Word Count: 732
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• Grade Level: High School

... is considered to mean equality, in oligarchies, again inequality in the distribution of office is considered to be just, " says Aristotle (Hacker 91). Plato sees the justice and law as what sets the guidelines for societal behavior. Aristotle puts emphasis on the institution of the polis (Hacker 77). This ... polis (Hacker 77). The polis was set up to allow political participation on the part of the average citizen (Hacker 80). This contradicts Plato's theory of one ruling class controlling the political power and all decisions that effect the entire society. The theory of Democracy that...

• Word Count: 1212
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... maker's create an idea of truth. Finally there are the imitators. The imitators are the third descendent from the truth. Homer was considered an imitator. Plato writes: Well, I will tell you, although I have from my earliest youth had an awe and love of Homer which even now makes the words ... and teacher of the whole noble tragic company; but a man is not to be reverenced more then the truth, and therefore I will speak out. (2) Although Plato had a love for Homer, he felt Homer painted a false picture with his poetry. Homer's poetry was very descriptive, "Now stripping back his rags Od...

• Word Count: 734
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... most important work in the history of Western Philosophy. One could spend hours counting how many subsequent philosophies arouse from either his direct words or interpretations. Of all Western Philosophers, Plato was one of the greatest writers. Even though most may find his dialogues exhausting, I found it enjoyable because of the brilliant yet controversial words. Nearly every western philosophy flows ... rulers, the auxiliaries who will be in military role, and the artisans who will produce the products and goods necessary for economic growth. The philosopher rulers duties as adminis...

• Word Count: 845
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... he was Socrates' student, creating the idea of fundamental conflicts between what could be known by reason and what could be known by senses. Plato's most famous writings include the "Republic", where we can learn about his beliefs including ethics, political philosophy, moral psychology, epistemology, ... and metaphysics. The Metaphor of the Divided Line also created by Plato represents the levels of knowledge one can obtain. From this metaphor comes the Forms, and how the understanding of this Forms and applying them ... state of becoming. The forms are invisible to the eye, in the i...

• Word Count: 1112
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... supposedly wise, to show that they were not. He thought that this questioning would eventually lead to knowledge though, which is virtuous and thereby truthful. Plato's view was somewhat different. He declares that to gain truth you must be passionately devoted to seeking it. You must have a love of truth to ... He also thought that no human could be all knowing or wise, so he must not believe that one person could see all truth. I believe Plato would have seen things differently, he thought there was one truth and we all possessed it to some extent. I think he would say that the ... s...

• Word Count: 1224
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... as its government, its people's lifestyles, and the ideals of Greeks during this time period. Most of the dialogues in Plato's work are written in the form of debates. Plato's views of Greek society may differ from those with less education. Plato was a well-educated man for his time which could make his opinions of society somewhat biased. Although it is possible that ... Plato's opinions are biased much of the information the book contains is relatively factual. Religion is a part of every society. There is evidence in Book II of "The Republic" supporting the ... "[envy] the other c...

• Word Count: 717
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... also some differences politically behind their theories, which ends up being the result of how they view human beings and their roles within society. In Plato's 'The Republic," each person in society served a function and had a job that suited their personality. He believed that the natural ... occur. The guardians would ensure that those desires stayed in check and that one person would not gain more then another. The way Plato's theoretical human conditioning works is that human beings represent a natural order whereas the guardians (supreme philosophers) are at the top of the .....

• Word Count: 1234
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... this work is to me. It will help an individual understand his or her philosophical aspect. The reason people today read this material from Plato is each person experiences these situations of pressure, fear, and of being informed of such experiences. This work gives a person a look on ... a life-changing experience; the real test is to not have fear returning home or to the routine of earlier years. Similarities between our society and Plato's era, is people no matter what time period, experience fear, happiness, pressure, and learn to adapt to ones surroundings. However in the 4th Cent...

• Word Count: 709
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... some may not apply to modern society. The writing serves as a pamphlet that depicts some of the guidelines of love as the philosophers of Plato's time saw them. The intervention of the God's in the orations of the philosophers can be interpreted to mean the different aspects of love and ... Soon Phaedrus concludes his oration and Pausanias steps up to deliver another set of guidelines for love. Pausanias concerns himself with a topic much like Plato's guidelines in the Ideal Republic where he stated that honorable and virtuous acts were only those that were applied to noble and just cau...

• Word Count: 2004
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... a criticism of any given individual within that society; the imperfect character. He has already dealt with the Oligarchic society and character and now moves onto Democracy and the democratic character. Plato states that the Oligarchy, where the ultimate desire is for wealth and character governs emotions without reason, will ultimately collapse and become a Democracy. The lower, drone class are exploited by ... some form of external force to aid their struggle. Therefore, democracy originates when the poor win, kill or exile their opponents, and give the rest equal civil rights and oppo...

• Word Count: 545
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... , many did not agree with Socrates teachings. He was accused of corrupting the youth in Athens and sentenced to death. One of Socrates most famous students, Plato, established a second school of thought. Flourishing around 400 B. C., Plato contradicted his teacher in that he left many writings, his most famous being The Republic. He believed that a higher world of unchanging forms and ideas existed ... government. After much comparison, he believed that the latter type of government worked the best for most people. Aristotle went on to be a tutor for Alexander the Great. Aristotle, unlik...

• Word Count: 678
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... to survive in today's economic society. We accept what they teach, and do not question why because we do not know for sure what lies ahead. Plato symbolizes this when he writes "human beings living in an underground den, which has a mouth open towards the light their legs and neck chained so that ... and many are not ready for the change. We are eventually able to meet the challenge; we settle into our routine and welcome the next challenge. Plato sums this up when he writes "when any of them is liberated and compelled to suddenly stand up and turn his neck around and look towards the ....

• Word Count: 588
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... his ship. The captain can not be expected to understand and run all aspects of their everyday city operation just as the ruler can not be. Plato's captain is not given credit for his work and functions onboard a ship. Not all captains/leaders suffer from "blindness" about what is happening under ... from making fun of Socrates in the paragraph before to agreeing with everything Socrates says in fragments of sentences for the next couple of pages. Plato and Socrates see their position in Athenian democracy as a educator too as much of the society as possible; by walking around and talkin...

• Word Count: 1223
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... be considered that the way Socrates percieves the equality of the two genders is a positive feature however the way he divides people in a society cannot be approved. In Plato's Republic, there is an argument about whether men and women should do the same things because they both are able to. He states that " if it's apparent ... men may have the same talent about the same thing or they both may not have the talent. Talent does not depend on gender. As a conclusion Plato is right to think that women and men should do the same things under these circumstances. And he concludes that " there...

• Word Count: 1081
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• Has Bibliography

"Philosophical Query" A society living in harmony, no problems, one ruler who would be for the rich and for the poor. This is an example of Plato's view of a perfect society or what we know as a Utopia. Even though this outlook was originated by one of the greatest Philosophers it is nearly impossible for it to be ... attained in the world today. As stated in the book Plato's view of a democracy (Government Present today) is the rule of a wealthy few. Why does Plato view this as a bad form of government? The leader of a society is rich, therefore he only makes laws and or rules that apply ......

• Word Count: 446
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Plato's Allegory of the Cave is Book VII in his much larger work, The Republic. The Allegory of the Cave is a conversation between Socrates and Glaucon, the former telling us what he believes about reality and how we have a false interpretation of reality. It is an extended metaphor full of symbolis...

• Word Count: 587
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Plato's Allegory of the Cave is Book VII in his much larger work, The Republic. The Allegory of the Cave is a conversation between Socrates and Glaucon, the former telling us what he believes about reality and how we have a false interpretation of reality. It is an extended metaphor full of sym...

• Word Count: 598
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... Athenian democratic government, he disengaged from participating in politics. He strongly felt that neither a moral individual nor a state that is rational could be established in a democratic environment. Plato felt that the common man wasn't intelligent or capable of dealing with concepts that influence the state such as economics, policy of foreign affairs and other relative matters. He viewed ... can include: various college organizations, union members, national communities and any other form of group's that people find a common denominator. For Aristotle Aristotle is more philosoph...

• Word Count: 2280
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... relationship as "literature influences or 'shapes' society literature functions socially to maintain and stabilize" (425). For my theory on the relationship between literature and society, I am using Plato, Wordsworth, Marx, Bakhtin, Fitzgerald, Mitchell, and Althusser. I believe that literature and society cannot function without each other and that literature is a direct reflection of what is happening in society. ... . Although he openly opposed art, he seemed to talk about it constantly. In my opinion, literature makes one evoke emotions, question previous theorists, and develop ...

• Word Count: 2612
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... a point where a wide array of radically different answers are provided by philosophers as to what is the good life or complete life. For Plato, the good life was that in which through rational analysis and thought an individual dedicated his life to observing and understanding the highest principle, which ... life. There are several philosophers whom I had similar views to: Jose Ortega y Gasset, Karl Marx, Abraham Maslow, and to a lesser extent Plato. What all these philosophers have in common is that they believe in an intellectual and spiritual development of the human being that is com...

• Word Count: 4292
• Approx Pages: 17
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... not help but to think back on two people that so long ago have reasoned and imagine political theories that are still in use today. Plato and Aristotle are considered to be "Founding Fathers" of modern political theories. I armed myself with Hacker Andrew's Political Theory: Philosophy, Ideology, Science: ... Aristotle suggested, in his work, The Politics, that the society itself should reach for the best possible system that could be attained (Hacker 71). Plato relied on the deductive approach, while Aristotle is an example of an inductive approach (Hacker 71). Utopia is a solution in ...

• Word Count: 1333
• Approx Pages: 5