Difference between Plato and Aristotle

Plato (c. 428–c. 348 BCE) and Aristotle (384–322 BCE) are two of the most well-known
and studied figures in Western philosophy. Plato was a pupil of Socrates, while Aristotle
was a pupil of Plato. Therefore, we can observe several connections in their philosophy.

The main difference between Plato and Aristotle philosophy is that the philosophy
of Plato is more theoretical and abstract in nature, whereas the philosophy of Aristotle
is more practical and experimental in nature.

The differences between Plato and Aristotle’s theories outweigh the similarities. However,
both philosophers do leave holes and questions in their arguments. Plato is often criticised
for being too elitist in his views, as he requires a great amount of time devoted to asceticism
in order to learn. He also sees the mass public as ignorant and incapable, or at least
unwilling to accept the truth of a reality beyond our own.

In philosophy- Plato believed that concepts had a universal form, an ideal form,
which leads to his idealistic philosophy. Aristotle believed that universal forms
were not necessarily attached to each object or concept, and that each instance
of an object or a concept had to be analyzed on its own. This viewpoint leads to
Aristotelian Empiricism. For Plato, thought experiments and reasoning would be
enough to "prove" a concept or establish the qualities of an object, but Aristotle
dismissed this in favor of direct observation and experience.
Political theory- Plato felt that the individual should subsume his or her interests
to that of society in order to achieve a perfect from of government.
His Republic described a utopian society where each of the three classes
(philosophers, warriors, and workers) had its role, and governance was kept in
the hands of those deemed best qualified for that responsibility, those of the
"Philosopher Rulers." 
Aristotle saw the basic political unit as the city (polis), which took precedence
over the family, which in turn took precedence over the individual. Aristotle said
that man was a political animal by nature and thus could not avoid the challenges
of politics. In his view, politics functions more as an organism than as a machine,
and the role of the polis was not justice or economic stability, but to create a
space where its people could live a good life and perform beautiful acts. 

Both Aristotle and Plato believed in these shared principles: harmony,

organic approach (society functions as an organism), natural approach,
politics and morals, they believed that humans are social creatures, and
they believed in the functioning of the state and its citizens.

Plato and Aristotle believed that democracy is a corrupt form of

government because it violates justice of proportionality.