preview

Plato 's The Republic And Aristotle

Decent Essays

Plato’s The Republic and Aristotle’s The Politics are two classic texts in ancient Greek political thought. Although Plato taught Aristotle, the two philosophers had differing viewpoints on many subjects, one of them being the purpose of political rule. Plato believed that the purpose of political rule is to allow for the manifestation of a just city where both the city and its citizens are in harmony due to a specialization of roles according to individuals’ natures, whereas Aristotle believed that the purpose of political rule is to create a regime that pursues the common advantage and preserves the political partnership of the city.

According to Plato, political rule’s purpose is to enforce a certain version of justice. Plato’s version of justice is neither Polemarchus’ idea of doing good to friends and harm to enemies, nor is it Telemarchus’ idea that justice is the advantage of the stronger (Plato pg. 7 & 15). Justice in The Republic is adhering to your role in order to secure the good of the whole, and not just the individual. The proper expression of this view of justice results in a city that is harmonious because its individual parts are functioning correctly. In order for the individual citizens in the city to carry out their proper roles, they must be separated into three categories: gold souls, silver souls, and bronze souls. Gold souls individuals are those who are competent to rule; silver souls are guardians who protect the city and also keep watch over the

Get Access