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Plato’s and Aristotle’s Philosophical Differences Essay
One of the most significant differences between Plato and Aristotle is their perception and view of the ethics theory (Thomas, 345). They both agree that injustice cannot outdo justice but differ in their expression of this virtue. The two philosophers agree that every entity has its function. There are specific virtues related to the carrying out of various functions. According to Plato, the functioning of every human being is closely linked to the entire society.
This means that, for a society to be virtuous, then every individual must perform their function in a just way. For Aristotle, the function of humans is an independent phenomenon. This function should express reason in the pursuit of happiness, which is the ultimate goal of every individual. Therefore, the major difference here is that for Plato, the function of every individual is to improve the entire society, while for Aristotle, it is to express the reason for the pursuit of individual happiness. It is not related to society.
Works Cited
Thomas, H, G. A Brief History of the Western World. California: Wadsworth Publishers, 2004. 140-407.
