Similarities and Differences between Aristotles and Platos Ideal City State - Admission/Application Essay Example

Similarities and Differences between Aristotle’s and Plato’s Ideal Aristotle and Plato and their views on the ideal Greek city-state have been a subject of debate, especially in the political arena. Some of their ideals have been used in modern governance and politics. This essay focuses on the differences and similarities in the ideals and principles that both Aristotle and Plato share. Aristotle critically examines the political institutions in his time and in the Greek world (Brophy 139). He believes that the needs of the city vary greatly due to the differences in citizen’s wealth, population and their social class. He explains that an ideal city-state should be organized in such a way that the happiness of the citizens is facilitated. According to Brophy, Aristotle believes that such a city should only be large enough such that self-sufficiency is achieved and at the same time small enough to ensure communal co existence (140). He considered citizenship to be responsible for political leadership and according to him; a just constitution is one which benefits everyone in the ideal city. Plato on the other hand considered the Greek city-state of Polis was not as perfect as the Greek would like to believe. Brophy explains that Plato claims to have noted the arrogance, military and political injustice and the contempt of the Greek state towards the citizens (134). These were his reasons for postulating the ideas that would convert Polis to an ideal city-state. He suggested that these changes take place in three phases. According to Brophy, the first phase that Plato proposed would involve new leadership or ruling class that consisted of individuals called guardians. The guardians would consist of only philosophers; individuals who appreciated knowledge as the key to successive political leadership. In the second phase, the guardians would consist of both men and women. The third phase would be characterized with guardians living communally, having surrendered private property and wealth (135). He believed that this last phase would reduce the jealousy and treachery that comes with political power and its acquisition. Plato believed that the guardians were the only individuals who qualified to rule given their unique and extensive knowledge and skills. He further explains that the guardians are able to effectively rule because they are wise, just, moderate and courageous (136). Aristotle argues that citizens who have acquired an education and adhere to the rules and laws of the land are capable of ruling themselves. He disagrees with Plato’s belief that nature predisposes some individuals to rule and others to be ruled. He further argues that although some individuals may be different from others, each one of them was responsible for shaping and defining the city (140). The main purpose of being a citizen in the ideal city was the ability of ruling while serving. He argues for democracy where the citizens desire and are able to decide for themselves. Plato was a proponent for the inclusion of women in politics and societal roles. Brophy explains that Plato proposed that the guardians would consist of both men and women (136). Women were to participate in communal duties that were reserved for the men. For example, hunting for food and fighting as soldiers to defend their city and country. Aristotle did not share Plato’s ideals on the inclusion of women and children in the running of the city. He actually believed that the inclusion of wives and children would destabilize the city (Brophy p.140). Plato believes in communism when he explains the three postulates. He recommends that the guardians should give up their possessions and live communally so that jealousy and envy does not lead to tyranny. Aristotle on the other hand, did not believe in the idea of common possession advocated by communism. He argued that it would be better to separate the public from the private components of society rather than destroy these categories. Aristotle recognizes that the poor and the rich equally recent each other hence the need for a strong middle class to balance the state and reduce inequality and in doing so, prevent corruption and oppression (Brophy 141). Plato recognizes the classes that exist in society; rulers, middle class and the workers. He advises that there is need to guard against extremes in wealth and poverty. Both Aristotle and Plato recommend that measures should be put in place to bring a balance between the classes. Both Plato and Aristotle believed that a government that was strong and stable was important in the preservation of order as well as the protection of the city. According to Aristotle, the civic government consisted of 3 branches; the judiciary responsible for overseeing the state’s legal matters, the executive, which runs the daily business of the state and the deliberators who make the state’s political decisions. Brophy explains that Aristotle stipulates that an ideal city-state should consist of those elements that were inherent of the Greek city-state; male citizens responsible for administration of the state then the ‘others’ consisting of women, non-Greeks, laborers and slaves (142). The ‘others’ carried out the daily tasks and menial duties that were necessary for the smooth running of the community. According to Aristotle, slavery was an accepted way of life and that slaves were naturally individuals who were physically better at performing hard labor as opposed to their masters whose mandate was the pursuit of intellect (Brophy p.137). On the other hand, Plato’s ideal city was similar to Aristotle’s except for the element of slavery. Slavery was common in the Greek society but Plato appears to have disregarded this element mainly due to his ideals. Both Plato and Aristotle believed that each individual or citizen had particular skills, which determined the class that they belonged. For example, Plato classified citizens into workers, middle class and rulers according to their skill and knowledge levels. Aristotle classified citizens into male citizens who were the rulers, womenfolk, slaves and foreigners who served different functions. Plato and Aristotle see democracy as a bad form of governance for the ideal city-state. Plato believes democracy to be the rule of the masses that charges a large group of uneducated individuals with ruling and making decisions that would be best made by intellectuals instead (Brophy 137). Aristotle agrees with Plato regarding democracy, but explains that a good democracy is possible when the majority who are free and not wealthy control the governance. According to Brophy, Aristotle supports the ownership of private property but speaks against too much capitalism while at the same time advocating for slavery, which is a form of property. This shows inequality in wealth and power (142). Plato on the other hand is a proponent of equality and power as he advocates for the inclusion of women in political and societal matters. Work Cited Brophy, James M. Perspectives from the Past: Primary Sources in Western Civilizations. Princeton, N.J: Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, 2005. Sound recording. Read More