Plato and AristotlePlato and Aristotle

Students of SocratesStudents of Socrates

PlatoPlato

It was claimed that Plato's real name It was claimed that Plato's real name was Aristocles, and that 'Plato' was a was Aristocles, and that 'Plato' was a nickname nickname ((roughly 'the broad'roughly 'the broad')) derived either from the width of his derived either from the width of his shoulders, the results of training for shoulders, the results of training for wrestling, or from the breadth of his wrestling, or from the breadth of his style, or from the size of his style, or from the size of his forehead.forehead.

PlatoPlato427-347 BCE427-347 BCE

son of wealthy and son of wealthy and influential Athenian influential Athenian parents parents

Plato tried both to Plato tried both to pass on the heritage pass on the heritage of a Socratic style of of a Socratic style of thinkingthinking

Plato’s BackgroundPlato’s BackgroundPlato was in the military from 409 BC to Plato was in the military from 409 BC to 404 BC during the Peloponnesian War 404 BC during the Peloponnesian War with Spartawith Sparta

he wanted a political career rather than a he wanted a political career rather than a military onemilitary one

the execution of Socrates in 399 BC had a the execution of Socrates in 399 BC had a profound effect on him and left politics for profound effect on him and left politics for goodgood

Plato’s Political BeliefsPlato’s Political Beliefsaristocracyaristocracy, a Greek word which means , a Greek word which means "rule by the best." "rule by the best."

Appropriate roles: Individuals have Appropriate roles: Individuals have certain talents or skills.certain talents or skills.

Philosopher Kings should rulePhilosopher Kings should rule

An educated society is essential. An educated society is essential.

Power should not be hereditaryPower should not be hereditary

Aristotle’s BackgroundAristotle’s BackgroundBorn in Macedonia, in 384 Born in Macedonia, in 384 BCBC

He spent twenty years (17-37) of his life He spent twenty years (17-37) of his life studying at the Academy under Platostudying at the Academy under Plato

When Plato died, Aristotle returned to When Plato died, Aristotle returned to Macedonia and tutored the King’s son, Macedonia and tutored the King’s son, Alexander the Great Alexander the Great

He came back to Athens with Alexander's He came back to Athens with Alexander's approval in 335 and established his own approval in 335 and established his own schoolschool

Aristotle’s Political BeliefsAristotle’s Political BeliefsMonarchy and Aristocracy only good if rulers Monarchy and Aristocracy only good if rulers

were virtuouswere virtuous

Democracy was the least dangerous form of Democracy was the least dangerous form of governmentgovernment

Kings should take advice from philosophersKings should take advice from philosophers

Educated societies create a moral and Educated societies create a moral and virtuous peoplevirtuous people

The middle class should hold the powerThe middle class should hold the power