FREE ESSAY ON GREEK PHILOSOPHERS

GREEK PHILOSOPHERS

Greek Philosophers
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle had virtually the same beliefs about man's relation to the
State, although Plato's political theory of the State was more rational than Socrates or
Aristotle's.
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle all believed that man was not self-sufficient, they
believed man would be most happy living in a State. They also believed that all men
wanted to live the truly good life where they could be in tune with the truth and achieve
their ultimate goals. Although Socrates, Plato and Aristotle's political views of the
State are similar, Plato's view is more rational than Socrates and Aristotle's in the
sense that he created an ideal State.
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were three philosophers in ancient Greece who believed that
no man was self-sufficient enough to live on his own. Plato believed a State comes into
existence because no individual is self-sufficing (Stumph, 70). This theory of Plato's
was also shared by Aristotle who said He who is unable to live in society or who has no
need because he is sufficient for himself, must either be a beast or a god (Stumph, 103).
These two views indicate the importance of a State to an individual according to Plato
and Aristotle. All three philosophers believed that man would be much happier if he was
part of a State rather than on his own. Socrates once stated We are all more productive
if we specialize in one thing rather than try to excel at many things (Stumph, 40).
Within the State Socrates believed that there would be a division of labour for the
provision of food, shelter and clothing. An individual living outside of a State would
have to provide themselves with these necessities. As Socrates stated above within the
State you would specialize in one thing only, while a different individual would
specialize in something else and this would allow the quality and the quantity of the
product to increase. Plato assumes that we are all born with physical and intellectual
equipment that makes us suited to perform some tasks better than others (Rice, 42). So
now individuals only have to specialize in something that they are physically and
intellectually suited for according to Plato. These three philosophers believed that if
man could be more productive by specializing in something that they are suited for they
would be happier. Aristotle made the point that Every community is established with the
view to some good; and that mankind always act in order to obtain that which they think
good (Copleston, 351). 
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle all believed that man needs to be part of a State in order
to live a truly good life. For Plato, who concerned himself with the truly good life for
man, it was imperative to determine the true function of the State. He believed that the
State was crucial in order for man to live a good life. Plato wrote that a proper
government would lead to a peaceful, ordered society in which all humans needs are met
(Copleston, 223). Meeting the needs of the people was very important within the State,
and to help meet the needs of the people Plato thought that the relationship between the
individual and the State would be similar to the relationship between parents and their
children. This meant that the government would have power over the people but the people
would be considered in the decision making. Aristotle viewed the State as The agency for
enabling people to achieve their ultimate goals as human beings (Stumph, 103). He thought
that within the State you were free and able to obtain your needs or 'goals' in life.
Aristotle also made the point that the State exists for the sake of everyone's moral and
intellectual fulfillment (Stumph, 105). Socrates also believed in man's true happiness,
which is what is in man's best interest, not just something that will make him
temporarily happy, such as alcohol. He believed that the State was where man would be
truly happy.
Although Socrates, Plato and Aristotle had similar views on the State, Plato's view is
more rational. Plato's political theory is developed in close connection with his ethics
(Copleston, 223). He believed strongly in the wants of man, The State does not exist
simply in order to further the economic needs of men, for man is not simply 'Economic
Man,' but for happiness, to develop them in the good life (Copleston, 226). In Plato's
Republic we wanted poets, but he also objected to the way they speak about the gods, and
the way that they portrayed immoral characters. Therefore if he was going to have poets
in his State they would have to produce examples of good moral character, and Lyric
poetry would only be allowed under strict supervision of the State authorities (Rice,
39). Also in Plato's Republic Women are to be trained as men: in the ideal State they
will not simply stay at home and mind the baby, but will be trained in music and
gymnastics and military discipline just like men (Copleston, 229). These regulations and
theories were part of Plato's ideal State. By creating an ideal State Plato was
expressing the only way the State would be run and remain successful according to his
point of view. Aristotle, who believed that the State was substantial, did not create a
blueprint of the ideal State like Plato did. Plato who thought out an ideal State and
created rules and regulations was more rational in his political views than Socrates and
Aristotle.
Even though all three philosophers were similar in their political beliefs about man not
being self-sufficient and that man would be most happy in a State. Plato's ideal State
made his political view easily understandable and more rational than Socrates who left
behind no notes and Aristotle who did not create a blueprint for an ideal State.