PLATO

Plato was a student of Socrates who introduced Socrates’ teachings through the method of the
dialogue. He fought in the Peloponnesian War and became disillusioned. Peloponnesian War:
The war between Athens and Sparta from 431–404 BCE. Sparta, with the assistance of Persia
(now Iran), built a massive fleet that destroyed the Athenian navy at Aegospotami in 405 BCE.
The war destroyed Athens.

In The Republic, he argued that the highest form of happiness is achieved by pursuing justice,
not self-interest. The polis (state) comes into existence since humanity cannot function
efficiently alone.

PLATO Plato’s Theory of Forms

Plato’s vision of forms reveals his dualistic vision of the universe that distinguishes between:

1. The world of appearances (Things we can see)

2. The intelligible world (Things beyond our physical senses)

Most people only see imperfect representations of ideal forms. Only those who see the ideal
forms in both worlds achieve the greatest happiness and are fit to rule.
PLATO Allegory of the Cave
Allegory of the Cave underscores the need for philosophical rule by revealing how some forms
of judgment (or opinions) are more valuable than others.

Allegory explains: imagining, belief, and knowledge and highlights why Plato believed only
those with the highest form of knowledge should rule the republic.

ARISTOTLE

Student of Plato who founded an academy in Athens to teach a full range of academic
departments. Much more pragmatic, scientific, and empirical than Plato. Like Plato, believed
happiness is achieved when rationality governed appetites and urges.

ARISTOTLE Theory and Practice

The Greeks, the Roman Empire, and the Incorporation of Law into the

State Natural Law: A body of law or a special principle held to be derived from nature and
binding upon human society.

Positive Law: A body of law established or recognized by a governmental authority.

ARISTOTLE Aristotle’s Theory of Forms and Happiness (Cont’d)

Happiness is found in humans’ ability to reason, which separates them from animals.
Reasoning allows humans to pursue excellence and a just existence through politics.