Plato and Aristotle; How Are They Different?

Plato (428-348 BC) and Aristotle (384-322 BC) are considered two of the greatest figures of Western philosophy. For about 20 years, Aristotle was Plato's student and colleague at the Athens Academy. An institution for philosophical, scientific, and mathematical research and teaching founded by Plato in the 380s. Aristotle was in the fields of philosophy and science which Plato did not seriously consider.

According to the conventional view, Plato's philosophy boils down to abstract and utopian things. Meanwhile, Aristotle is empirical, practical, and logical. Such contradictions were well known at the Fresco School of Athens (1510-1111). So the Italian Renaissance painter Raphael depicts Plato and Aristotle together in conversation, surrounded by philosophers, scientists, and artists from the earliest times onward.

In the dialogue, Plato holds a copy of Timeo (Timaeus) with his fingers pointing to the sky. Meanwhile, Aristotle held a copy of his Ethics with his hands pointing outward (the World). This description seems to reflect the philosophy that the two philosophers gave to the world. Plato with the world of ideas, and Aristotle with his Logic.

While this view is generally accurate, it is not particularly illuminating, and it obscures what Plato and Aristotle have in common. The continuity between them shows erroneously that their philosophies are mutually contradictory.

Then, how exactly is the difference between Plato's philosophy and Aristotle's philosophy? These are the three main differences they have.

The first is the form. The most basic difference between Plato and Aristotle concerns the theory of form. For Plato, a form is an abstract object, which is not bound by time and space. According to him, forms can only be known through thought. Not through sense experience. Moreover, because they (forms) do not change, forms have a higher level of reality than do things in the world. Which allows change and is always in and out of existence.

In order to know the nature of form, man can find it through "dialectical" reasoning. Intellect or idea, according to Plato is the only true reality. Plato also argues that there are early Ideas that relate to all existing forms. Climax in the Idea of ​​all Ideas, and become the only one.

Aristotle rejected Plato's theory of form, but not the idea of ​​the form itself. For Aristotle, the form does not exist independently of everything being form directly. However, the "substantial" form had to be associated with something. Without it, things would be different or would not exist at all.

Next, ethics. For Plato and Aristotle, as it was for most ancient ethical philosophers, the main problem of ethics is the attainment of happiness. "Happiness" doesn't mean the mind is in a pleasant state. But more so in the good human life or human life that develops. Happiness is earned by virtue.

Ancient ethical philosophers usually addressed three related questions in this discussion. First, what does good or developed human life consist of? Second, what good is needed to achieve it? And thirdly, how does one acquire these virtues?

Plato's early dialogue includes an exploration of the nature of conventional virtues. Like courage, piety, and simplicity. Includes the more general questions, such as what kind of virtue can be taught?

Plato explained virtue through his teacher, Socrates in his writings. Socrates is depicted in conversations with academics and occasional celebrities. Socrates defines them as things that cannot be adequate for each other. Although Socrates does not offer his own definition and claims to know nothing, he does suggest that virtue is a kind of knowledge. Virtuous action (or the desire to act honestly) must be accompanied by knowledge held historically by Socrates.

Unlike Plato, Aristotle explains completely about ethics in his book, entitled Nicomachean Ethics. Aristotle argued that happiness is the practice of philosophical contemplation in a person who has cultivated all intellectual and moral virtues for more than a lifetime. In Eudemiah's Ethics, happiness is an exercise in moral virtue especially in the political sphere, although once again other intellectual and moral virtues are presumed.

Apart from form theory and ethics, there are other fundamental differences in the thinking of these two Classical Greek philosophers. Nothing but a view of politics. Plato tells about it in a book entitled Republic. He wrote about justice, which not only discredited the theory of virtue but also political theory.

Apart from form theory and ethics, there are other fundamental differences in the thinking of these two Classical Greek philosophers. Nothing but a view of politics. Plato tells about it in a book entitled Republic. He wrote about justice, which not only discredited the theory of virtue but also political theory.

Indeed, Socrates' character there develops a theory of political justice as a means of advancing the ethical discussion, illustrating the analogy between the three parts of the soul - Reason, Spirit, and Appetite - and the three classes of ideal conditions (i.e., city-state) Ruler, Army, and Manufacturers.

In political theory, Plato is best known for his assertion that only philosophers should rule and for his hostility to democracy, or rule by many. And in his last work, the Law, Plato outlined in great detail a mixed constitution that combined elements of monarchy and democracy. This leaves scholars divided over the question of whether the Law shows that Plato changed his mind about the value of democracy or just made practical concessions given the limitations of human nature. In the latter's view, the Republican state remains an ideal, or utopia. Meanwhile, Plato represents the best that can be achieved under realistic circumstances.

Aristotle's political theory is best known for his saying that "man is a political beast," meaning that humans naturally form political communities. Indeed, it is impossible for humans to develop outside of the community, and the basic purpose of the community is to promote human growth. Aristotle is also known for devising a classification of forms of government and introducing a definition of democracy that is not generally accepted widely.

For Aristotle, a state can be classified based on the number of rulers and their regional interests. Rule by one person for the benefit of all is a monarchy. Rule by one man for his own sake is tyranny. Rule by minorities for the benefit of all is aristocracy. The government by a minority for its own sake is an oligarchy. Rule by the majority for the benefit of all is "governance". Government by the majority for its own purposes - that is, the rule of the masses - is "democracy."

In theory, for Aristotle, the best form of government was a monarchy, and the next best was aristocracy. However, since monarchy and aristocracy often shift to tyranny and oligarchy, respectively, in practice the best form is government.

Despite the differences in their thinking, the two of them have an undeniable name and influence. Both in the world of philosophy and the development of science.