The Paradox of Democracy
"Like the best life, the best system of government is conducted in accordance with excellence.” (Aristotle, N. Ethics 1295a- 25)
In terms of Democracy, Plato and Aristotle differ extensively. For instance, Plato considers Democracy as a fundamentally corrupted form of government, where the possession of power rests upon the will of the masses, which for Plato are incapable of achieving true knowledge. Conversely, Aristotle recognizes Democracy among the best forms of governance. However, he argues that democratic rule, if exercise in the form of Polity, will eventually lead society to pursue the best life.
Moreover, for the purpose of this essay I will concentrate in analyzing Plato and Aristotle's works with respect to democracy in terms of: political participation, authority and freedom. Since their interpretations of such concepts are, in my mind, distinctions that can be compared and contrasted alongside. Nevertheless, it is precisely in terms of democracy that we have to acknowledge, and take into account the concerns of perspective and backgrounds that shape the similarities and differences in Plato and Aristotle's judgments of it. For instance, their theory's leading premises can definitely be seen as a major difference in perspective, since while Plato is seeking for the absolute city with the perfect type of society, Aristotle aims for the most attainable form of government with the existent society. Therefore, we shall see how Plato and Aristotle's main doctrines influence their understanding of democracy.
First, in terms of political participation both philosophers differ profoundly. On one hand, Aristotle thinks that a citizen's engagement in political activities is an important feature of a good life. For example, such argument seems implicit, in both, his doctrine that man is a political animal (POL 1253a-8), and his definition of a citizen. Since for him "A citizen in common parlance is the person who has a share in ruling and being
In terms of Democracy, Plato and Aristotle differ extensively. For instance, Plato considers Democracy as a fundamentally corrupted form of government, where the possession of power rests upon the will of the masses, which for Plato are incapable of achieving true knowledge. Conversely, Aristotle recognizes Democracy among the best forms of governance. However, he argues that democratic rule, if exercise in the form of Polity, will eventually lead society to pursue the best life.
Moreover, for the purpose of this essay I will concentrate in analyzing Plato and Aristotle's works with respect to democracy in terms of: political participation, authority and freedom. Since their interpretations of such concepts are, in my mind, distinctions that can be compared and contrasted alongside. Nevertheless, it is precisely in terms of democracy that we have to acknowledge, and take into account the concerns of perspective and backgrounds that shape the similarities and differences in Plato and Aristotle's judgments of it. For instance, their theory's leading premises can definitely be seen as a major difference in perspective, since while Plato is seeking for the absolute city with the perfect type of society, Aristotle aims for the most attainable form of government with the existent society. Therefore, we shall see how Plato and Aristotle's main doctrines influence their understanding of democracy.
First, in terms of political participation both philosophers differ profoundly. On one hand, Aristotle thinks that a citizen's engagement in political activities is an important feature of a good life. For example, such argument seems implicit, in both, his doctrine that man is a political animal (POL 1253a-8), and his definition of a citizen. Since for him "A citizen in common parlance is the person who has a share in ruling and being
Bibliography: 1. Platón. Apología de Sócrates. Buenos Aires: Editorial Universitaria, 1986 2. Plato, The Republic, translated by C. D. C. Reeve, Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company Inc, 2004 3. Aristotle, The Politics, translated by C. D. C. Reeve, Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company Inc, 1998,