Comparing Plato and Aristotle Essay -- Philosophy

Comparing Plato and SocratesPlato was among the most important and creative thinkers of the past world. He was born in Athens in 428 BC to an blue-blooded and well-off family. Even as a young child Plato was known with political life because his father, Ariston was the last king of Athens. Ariston died when Plato was a young boy. However, the profligate Athenian political life, which was under the oligarchical rule of the Thirty Tyrants and the restored democracy, see to have forced him to give up any ambitions of political life. In 388 BC he journeyed to Italy and Sicily, where he became the friend of Dionysius the ruler of Syracuse, and his brother-in-law Dion. The following yr he returned to Athens, where he devoted his time to research and instruction in philosophical system and the sciences. Most of his life thereafter was spent in pedagogy and guiding these activities. In 347 BC Plato died, while hes published writings each still live. They consist of some 26 dramatic dialogues on philosophy and related themes. The philosopher Socrates was a close friend of Platos family as well as his teacher. Platos writings attest to great influence on him. This could be a good explanation to why Plato uses Socrates to voice his own opinions about his sample State. Book I of Platos Republic, beings with Socrates, Cephalus, Polemarchus and Thrasymachus discussing jurist. Each give their own meaning of justice or dikaiosyne. Cephalus says justice is truth telling and debt paying. He views justice this vogue because he is an honest and just businessman. Polemarchus, who is Cephaluss son, agrees with Cephaluss definition, but continues by saying justice, is expectant each his own due. By this he means, helping ones friend. Finally, Thra... ...syche. Aristotle divides the soul into 2 portions rational and irrational, and continues to divide the irrational part. Plato divides the soul into three different separate the appetitive, the honor loving, and the ratio nal loving. The only similarities here are that both philosophers change integrity the soul into different parts so that each can be examined. Plato and Aristotle were both great philosophers during their time and in the present. Both their works on Ethics have taught many students a great deal and leave alone continue to do so throughout time. BibliographyAristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. Hackett Publishing Company, Indianapolis/Cambridge, 1999. Translated by Iwrin, TerencePlato. Republic. Hackett Publishing Company, Indianapolis/Cambridge, 1992. Translated by Grube, G.M.A. Revised by Reeve, C.D.C.www.encyclopida.comwww.sparknotes.com