Aristotle vs. Plato

Aristotle vs. Plato

Excellence is a function which renders excellent the thing of which it is a function is Plato’s definition of virtue. What does this definition really mean though? Plato and Aristotle both had their own unique arguments devoted to the topic at hand, and their own ways of describing what virtue really is. Defining virtue may seem to be an easy taste, but to truly understand the arguments behind the definition can prove to be very challenging.

Before discussing virtue, the sole must first be considered. There are three types of soul, according to Aristotle. The three types form a hierarchy. As the hierarchy increases, each form includes the one below. The first level is called vegetable, which is characterized by certain functions, and involves nourishment and growth. The second is animal and involves perception and locomotion along with the vegetable characteristics. The last and final level is the rational soul. This highest form is similar to the animal soul but also involves theoretical (passive) and practical (active) rationality. Humans possess this type of soul, and are able to be rational, and to instill rationality into their lives when dealing with their appetites, which are the objects and actions humans are attracted to. Aristotle believed that the ultimate goal in life is happiness, and people should live their lives in order to be happy. According to him, the soul doesn’t survive after death, so people should strive to be happy while they are alive. Since we haven’t direct knowledge of soul we try to understand to become truly virtuous.

In Aristotle’s quest to understand virtue, he works rationally trying to rationalize the irrational. He used a system of rewards known as “habituation.” This system helps to make one virtuous by giving a person self-control allowing them to train their irrational side to become rational. This process in turn creates character. People work indirectly to rid bad habits, such as smoking and to set up lives full of good habits. One of the questions that commonly arise when talking about virtue is, “What is good?” The answer to the question according to Aristotle is happiness. There are four qualities associated with happiness: 1) Pleasure 2) Wealth 3) Honor 4) Excellence. Lets consider each and determine which is most essential. Pleasure involves appetite and the objects and /o...

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...d justice, in the eyes of Aristotle. The main point that Plato is trying to get across is that being happy does not always mean being just. In all cases, Plato’s argument is more accepted and supported throughout the world.

Plato believes people should strive to be virtuous in order to achieve true goodness. Our souls live on, long after our mortal selves do, and Plato does not believe in consequences. We should live our lives, let go, and ignore the consequences, since we have many lives left, after the ones we are currently partaking in expires. Instead, we should just do good, and follow what is good, no matter what happens to us in the process. Virtue is thought to be an innate concept, and it illuminates that which we take to be virtuous. Plato believes virtue is seen in a reflective form, not directly.

Both arguments explain virtue, or goodness. Aristotle and Plato each have their own ways of explaining and understanding what true goodness is, and each have their own supportive arguments, such as Plato’s argument of justice. Is this argument right? This question has no answer, since what is right in one person’s opinion may not be right in another person’s.