justice in plato versus justice in aristotle

A detailed Summary of justice in plato versus justice in aristotle


Justice in Plato vs. Justice in Aristotle

Usually when you hear that someone is a teacher you tend to believe that the ideas of his or her pupils would be somewhat similar to those in his or her teachings. Often enough the student decides to take what he or she learns from his teacher and expands or even opposes his teacher's ideas. Aristotle was a student of the often imitated, never paralleled, philosopher, Plato. Although under the tutelage of Plato for over nineteen years and teaching at the Platonic Academy, Aristotle had many different views in regards to justice in society. Plato felt that justice was harmony, while Aristotle felt that it was in the common interest or in other words: justice was a compromise. I will attempt to provide a deeper understanding of this dilemma.

(Justice is harmony) One would tend to believe that peace, and good will among all individuals in a community would b


Plato argues that a just state is achieved in a situation in which everyone does one's own job, where each part functions properly with an eye to the good of the whole. In a just society, the rulers, the military, the working-class persons, all do what they ought to do. In a just society, their rulers are wise, the soldiers are brave, and the producers of material goods exercise self-control and are not overwhelmed by their desires for gain. (Great Thinkers of the Western World, Ian P. McGeal, editor.)

Thrasymachus interjects that justice is that which is in the interest of the stronger party. When he emphasized "stronger party" he implied governing bodies such as political leaders. He said that a community's people would follow leaders because the leader's law would be justice and it would be the constitution of the community. The problem here is that corrupt officials may make laws and regulations th

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Approximate Word count = 614
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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