The work of both Plato and Augustine helped shape the landscape of Western worldview and thought. They not only revolutionized philosophy in ancient culture, but instilled a great impact on philosophy around the world today. They are considered a few of the most influential figures in all of history. Whereas Plato emphasized the use of reason and logic to create a perfect state ruled by those who treasured earthly knowledge, Augustine stressed the need to make peace between God and man and seek true wisdom, which can only be obtained from God.
Plato (c. 429-347 B.C.E.) lived during the time when the glory of the Greek city-states, namely Athens, began deteriorating. He is famously identified as a student of another renowned philosopher, Socrates. …show more content…
Plato believed that if the State was corrupt, then an individual had no way of attaining justice. He was very much distraught by this, and began to formulate a system that he believed would fix the corruption that existed in the democratic system of government and organize society. This system was based on his assumption that a philosopher with extraordinary gifts would be capable of lead a government by themselves. He called these rulers “philosopher kings.” He believed that those who genuinely valued the pursuit of knowledge should be the ones who held political power. In addition, Plato noted a few other characteristics of his “philosopher kings” that would greater distinguish them from others. Plato writes that they ought …show more content…
He believed that all of nature could be divided into Two Cities. These two cities, Augustine explains, were formed by two different kinds of “loves.” Augustine writes that the city of Earth (the Pagan city) was formed “by the love of self even to the contempt of God” and the other city, the Heavenly city (the Kingdom of God), was formed “by the love of God, even to the contempt of self.” (The City of God, Book XIV Chapter 28) The conclusion that Augustine makes with this comparison is that there are two groups of people. There are people who live in and for the Earthly city which treasures human wisdom, which is folly, and there are people who live in and for the Heavenly city which treasures true wisdom, which is
Plato (c. 429-347 B.C.E.) lived during the time when the glory of the Greek city-states, namely Athens, began deteriorating. He is famously identified as a student of another renowned philosopher, Socrates. …show more content…
Plato believed that if the State was corrupt, then an individual had no way of attaining justice. He was very much distraught by this, and began to formulate a system that he believed would fix the corruption that existed in the democratic system of government and organize society. This system was based on his assumption that a philosopher with extraordinary gifts would be capable of lead a government by themselves. He called these rulers “philosopher kings.” He believed that those who genuinely valued the pursuit of knowledge should be the ones who held political power. In addition, Plato noted a few other characteristics of his “philosopher kings” that would greater distinguish them from others. Plato writes that they ought …show more content…
He believed that all of nature could be divided into Two Cities. These two cities, Augustine explains, were formed by two different kinds of “loves.” Augustine writes that the city of Earth (the Pagan city) was formed “by the love of self even to the contempt of God” and the other city, the Heavenly city (the Kingdom of God), was formed “by the love of God, even to the contempt of self.” (The City of God, Book XIV Chapter 28) The conclusion that Augustine makes with this comparison is that there are two groups of people. There are people who live in and for the Earthly city which treasures human wisdom, which is folly, and there are people who live in and for the Heavenly city which treasures true wisdom, which is