solution that has no concrete problem (Hacker 76). There is no solid
evidence that all societies are in need of such drastic reformation as
Plato suggests (Hacker 76). Aristotle discovers that the best possible
has already been obtained (Hacker 76). All that can be done is to try
to improve on the existing one.
Plato's utopia consists of three distinct, non-hereditary
class systems (Hacker 32). The Guardians consist of non ruling
Guardians and ruling Guardians. The non-rulers are a higher level of
civil servants and the ruling is the society's policy makers (Hacker
32). Auxilaries are soldiers and minor civil servants (Hacker 32).
Finally the Workers, are composed of farmers and artisans, most
commonly unskilled laborers (Hacker 32). The Guardians are to be wise
and good rulers. It is important that the rulers who emerge must be a
class of craftsmen who are public-spirited in temperament and skilled
in the arts of government areas (Hacker 33). The guardians are to be
placed in a position in which they are absolute rulers. They are
supposed to be the select few who know what is best for society
(Hacker 33).
Aristotle disagrees with the idea of one class holding
discontinuing political power (Hacker 85). The failure to allow
circulation between classes excludes those men who may be ambitious,
and wise, but are not in the right class of society to hold any type
of political power (Hacker 85). Aristotle looks upon this ruling class
system as an ill-conceived political structure (Hacker 86). He quotes
"It is a further objection that he deprives his Guardians even of
happiness, maintaining that happiness of the whole state which should
be the object of legislation," ultimately he is saying that Guardians
sacrifice their happiness for power and control. Guardians who lead
such a strict life will also think it necessary to impose the same
strict lifestyle on the society it governs (Hacker 86).
Aristotle puts a high value on moderation (Hacker 81). Many
people favor moderation because it is part-liberal and
part-conservative. There is so much of Plato's utopia that is
undefined and it is carried to extremes that no human being could
ever fulfill its requirements (Hacker 81). Aristotle believes that
Plato is underestimating the qualitative change in human character and
personality that would have to take place in order to achieve his
utopia (Hacker 81). Plato chose to tell the reader of his Republic how
men would act and what their attitudes would be in a perfect society
(Hacker 81). Aristotle tries to use real men in the real world in an
experimental fashion to foresee how and in which ways they can be
improved (Hacker 81).
Both Plato and Aristotle agree that justice exists in an
objective sense: that is, it dictates a belief that the good life
should be provided for all individuals no matter how high or low their
social status (Hacker 91). "In democracies, for example, justice is
considered to mean equality, in oligarchies, again inequality in the
distribution of office is considered to be just, " says Aristotle
(Hacker 91). Plato sees the justice and law as what sets the
guidelines for societal behavior.
Aristotle puts emphasis on the institution of the polis
(Hacker 77). This institution is not the state or society merely the
larger unit of the two (hacker 77). Neither Plato nor Aristotle found
it to be necessary to distinguish between the state nor society and
therefore it is difficult to define polis (Hacker 77). The polis was
set up to allow political participation on the part of the average
citizen (Hacker 80). This contradicts Plato's theory of one ruling
class controlling the political power and all decisions that effect
the entire society. The theory of Democracy that Aristotle derived
states that democracy is a "perversion" form of government of "polity"
(Hacker 92). Aristotle said, "The people at large should be sovereign
rather than the few best" (Hacker 92). Plato would never allow the
full public participation in government as Aristotle would like.
According to Plato public judgments of approval and disapproval are
based on belief and not on knowledge (Hacker 59).
Plato thinks that is a revolution were to take place it would
be a palace revolution (Hacker 64). A palace revolution occurs when
there is a power transfer from one power holder to someone else.
Aristotle sees the cause of revolutions originating with either the
rich or the poor (Hacker 102). He feels that the means of preventing
revolutions is to anticipate them (Hacker 107). Plato thinks that in a
utopia a disgruntled group of Guardians will emerge and break from the
rules (Hacker 63). He thinks that in an oligarchy two things may
happen to spark a revolution: the first being the ruler and their
offspring grow to be weak rulers and too sympathetic, the second is
that the number of poor grows larger and suffer exploitation at the
hands of those in power over them (Hacker 64). Aristotle states that
to know the causes which destroy constitutions is also to know the
causes which ensure their preservation (Hacker 107-108).
Plato and Aristotle alike were two men who had ideas on ways
to improve existing society. Plato, a political philosopher, was in
the pursuit of philosophical truth (Hacker 114). Aristotle was
concerned with the citizen and the design of political institutions
(Hacker 114). They both had well thought out ideas and plans on how to
build a better society. Both Aristotle and Plato have had a tremendous
impact on political scientists of today. Aristotle helped to developed
some democratic ideas. In conclusion these men were great thinkers.
Their opinions on society and its functions were quite different, but
they both had the same intention, to build a better way of life for
the societies they lived in and for the societies that would come to
be in the future.
--- Works Cited Hacker, Andrew. Political Theory: Philosophy, Ideology, Science. New York: Macmillan, 1961.
