Compare and Contrast Aristotle’s Concept of the Good with Plato’s Essay Example
Compare and contrast Aristotle’s concept of the good with Plato’s. Assess the merits of Aristotle’s concept of the good against Plato’s.
Throughout history, people have searched for knowledge of the good, and have attempted to clarify what is meant when referring to this. Enquiries after a true concept of the good are made so that it is possible for moral frameworks to be built upon them. Interpretations of the good affect views, approaches to morality and structures within societies. For instance the belief that there is an objective source of goodness coincides with a deontological ethical structure. Alternatively, claiming that goodness is subjective to particular situations and associating it with a natural quality tends to lead to a relative approach to morality. An example of this is Jeremy Bentham’s act utilitarianism; by defining goodness as that which promotes the most pleasure, he is following a teleological approach to ethics, where the good is relative to the conditions of the situation.
Greek philosophy has made a substantial impact on subsequent philosophical ideas and theories. Two key Greek philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, have greatly influenced Western philosophy and worldly views about morality. Both philosophers examined what is meant by ‘the good’, and Aristotle studied at Plato’s Academy in Athens. Through speaking the same language, both philosophers were potentially influence by similar texts and views within their culture. One philosopher in particular was Socrates; the inspiration behind countless philosophical discoveries and debates. Plato and Aristotle share Socrates’ desire for knowledge and absolute truth. In comparison to the idea that all things are relative, which was taught by Sophists at the time, Socrates’ messages were to understand the absolute. Prior to the formation of Plato and Aristotle’s concepts of the good, Socrates persisted in asking questions, as a method to help people shape and form their own ideas and
Throughout history, people have searched for knowledge of the good, and have attempted to clarify what is meant when referring to this. Enquiries after a true concept of the good are made so that it is possible for moral frameworks to be built upon them. Interpretations of the good affect views, approaches to morality and structures within societies. For instance the belief that there is an objective source of goodness coincides with a deontological ethical structure. Alternatively, claiming that goodness is subjective to particular situations and associating it with a natural quality tends to lead to a relative approach to morality. An example of this is Jeremy Bentham’s act utilitarianism; by defining goodness as that which promotes the most pleasure, he is following a teleological approach to ethics, where the good is relative to the conditions of the situation.
Greek philosophy has made a substantial impact on subsequent philosophical ideas and theories. Two key Greek philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, have greatly influenced Western philosophy and worldly views about morality. Both philosophers examined what is meant by ‘the good’, and Aristotle studied at Plato’s Academy in Athens. Through speaking the same language, both philosophers were potentially influence by similar texts and views within their culture. One philosopher in particular was Socrates; the inspiration behind countless philosophical discoveries and debates. Plato and Aristotle share Socrates’ desire for knowledge and absolute truth. In comparison to the idea that all things are relative, which was taught by Sophists at the time, Socrates’ messages were to understand the absolute. Prior to the formation of Plato and Aristotle’s concepts of the good, Socrates persisted in asking questions, as a method to help people shape and form their own ideas and