Plato and Aristotle helped shape the foundations of western philosophy. Their very thoughts echo through the corridors of time and they have been immortalized in the annals of academia for ever. While both philosophers agree on a number of topics, they fundamentally represent two different schools of philosophy. Plato and Aristotle have a variety of opinions of common good, social peace, and individual happiness. This paper will compare and explain the position of the philosophers on these three topics.
On the Common Good
The Form of the Good is the Form held in the highest regard by Plato. The Form of the Good is the Form that allows a trainee philosopher to reach the status of Philosopher King. It “provides knowledge for truth” and “is more prized than truth and justice”. Aristotle disagrees with Plato saying that because the Form of the Good does not explain or participate in physical events, it cannot be accounted for in human politics. This is an important background because it sets the stage for Plato’s idea of the common good and Aristotle’s response. Plato argues in the Republic that justice, understood as a virtuosity and …show more content…
Both of them agree that the common good is something to seek and consider in a political state, yet Plato views it as more idealistic and rooted in communal ideas, while Aristotle is much more individualistic and focused on partnerships. Both philosophers disagree sharply on social peace and order with Plato clamoring for no private property and calling on people to do what they do best, and Aristotle argues in favor of private property and letting individuals pursue the highest good on their own without state intervention. Finally, both philosophers do agree on individual happiness in the sense that it can only arise if we keep our soul in temperate check and by doing virtuous things as if they were natural to