Brianna Moulton

Professor Teresa Welch

Philosophy 1000
02 May 2016

The King and the Naturalist: A Comparison of Plato and Aristotle

Philosophy can be described as many thingsthe love of wisdom, a way of life, a reason
to be who we are. As many philosophers as there were, and are, two of the most famed
philosophers in all of history sought to answer some of lifes most puzzling questions. Some of
these questions include: What is the nature of existence? What is knowledge and how do we
come to obtain it? What is the best form of government? Who out to be given the responsibility
of leadership and the gift of knowledge? What is happiness, and how can we come to obtain it?
Two philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, named the Philosopher King and the Naturalist,
respectively, answered all of these questions, some of their answers similar, and some very
different.
Metaphysics, as explained by philosophy, is the nature of existence. This can be further
defined as the reality in which we currently live; the existence of things we see, hear, and touch.
Plato and Aristotle had beliefs about the current reality. Plato believed that the only real things
exist in the higher, unchanging world of being. Things exist in their true, pure platonic forms
in this dual reality, and Plato claimed that things in this constantly changing world, the world of
becoming as he described it, only temporarily partake of the forms in the world of being
(Soccio, 131). This belief is called Platonic Dualismthe existence of these two realities
(Soccio, 129). Platos theory on metaphysics, as well as other categories of philosophy, is divided
into four dimensions. One of which is the higher forms, which can be categorized as the Good,

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and the second is the lower forms, categorized as humans. The third is reality, the physical
existence of something in sensory experience, and then the fourth is a step away from reality,
which are mere images of sensible objects, both of these second dimensions exist in the world of
becoming (Soccio, 137).
In contrast, Aristotle believed the only existing reality is the one in which we live in, and
he denied another possibly supernatural reality. He believed everything that exists only exists in
the natural world, hence his title as the Naturalist and his belief in this Naturalism, (Soccio,
161-162). Aristotle believed the natural world to be composed of changing matter, and that
instead of Platos tiered dimensions of realities, matter was either simple or complex, but both
have a set, natural potential. Simple, composed matter, such as plants, follow a natural design
Aristotle called Entelechy to develop to full capacity and purpose, should nothing stand in its
way (Soccio, 170). What makes matter complex is the aspect of having choice to decide to either
become or fold. Humans are more complex than inanimate objects with set, designed entelechies.
Humans have control over their own development, the rational soul, and if their true self is
unleashed due to self-discovery and the finding and fulfilling of ones purpose, the good, happy
life may be obtained. But failure to fulfill ones entelechy can bar them from reaching their full
potential as a human being, and they may never become who nature intended them to be (Soccio,
171). Aristotle was said to be one of the first to have a theory of the science behind the nature of
existence and its processes of change, rather than its spiritual, formal aspects, like Plato. Platonic
Dualism conflicted with Aristotles need for factual, visible evidence to support his claims
(Soccio, 163).
As stated before, Platos beliefs about philosophy are divided into four hierarchal
dimensions. When it comes to Epistimology, or the nature of knowledge, Plato believed that the

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highest level of knowledge, which is the highest dimension, is described as understanding.
Understanding indicates ones connection with the platonic forms, and therefore can apprehend
truth. The lower form of intelligence, in Platos mind, is the ability to think and reason. In the
visible world, the two lowest dimensions, by derivation, are perception and imagination.
Perceptions are beliefs about the physical world, whereas imagination covers the areas of both
illusion and impressions (Soccio, 137.) These categories of intelligence and knowledge follow
Platos format for philosophy in descending order, from the highest to the lowest forms of
intellectual capacities.
Aristotles philosophy concerning epistemology, however, was again more concerned
with the natural world and also the changes, processes, and purposes of the things existing in it.
Aristotle was more concerned with the learning of the function and purpose of a given thing in
relation to the big picture as well as its relation to other things, rather than the level at which
someone can comprehend it, like Plato. To Aristotle, epistemology played a large role in ethics,
as humans may decide to view decisions and morals as pieces to a larger whole, rather than
living egotistically or in ignorance of other things existing outside, but will be affected heavily
by, the decision or moral value itself. Knowledge, to Aristotle, was about understanding the four
causes which change matter: the material cause, the formal cause, the efficient cause, and the
final cause. These changes include where substances originate and where they change, what it
changes into, the cause thereof, and the outcome and its purpose (Soccio, 167-169). These
changes play a role in the bigger picture, and makes reaching potential possible; the knowledge
of this enables the individual to understand the ever-changing physical world.
As a resident of Athens, Plato was exposed to Democracy as a form of government. In a
democracy, the majority rules. When his teacher, Socrates, was put to death by the opinions of

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the majority of the people of Athens, this obviously upset Plato, and he then set out to discover
the perfect form of government. He published the book The Republic to describe his idea of
his perfect, balanced government. As stated before, Plato had a theory of hierarchal dimensions,
and he believed that the people who should be put into power to make decisions should be in
touch with the good, and therefore must have understanding about the world of being so that
things in the world of becoming may be completely balanced, and therefore, the good life may be
accessible to all. In his book, The Republic, he explains that having needs met as well as
having three classes of people, namely the philosopher-king guardians, the warriors, and the
working class, the accomplishment of a balanced republic would be made possible, and
therefore, all may live a good, balanced life (Soccio, 146-147).
On the topic of politics, Aristotle, however, didnt have much to report in stark contrast to
Plato. He spent a lot of time tutoring more wealthy individuals, such as Alexander the Great, and
all but abandoned the idea of becoming a philosopher-king after another fellow student of Platos
was chosen to oversee the Academy following Platos death. Without having a much stated
opinion about politics, Aristotle was able to influence leader-figures by tutoring them in the
subjects of the natural world and science, thus having an educational effect on politics without
necessarily pushing his own philosophies into it (Soccio, 159).
As Plato began to bring his theory of a balanced republic into society, he founded the
Academy quite possibly to train the future leaders of humanity. The Academy was deemed to be
a competitive educational environment, where only aristocratic, select pupils would advance to
study the topic of philosophy after having studied topics such as mathematics and music. With
the Academy being exclusive on who it would allow in to begin with, only the elite would have
been chosen to rule a state as a philosopher-kinga leader over a number of people, both

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warriors and working class (Soccio, 128-129). With the Academy founded for this purpose, Plato
could have intended the onset of balanced republics throughout the country.
Aristotle, like Plato, also founded a school. Aristotles school was called the Lyceum,
named after Apollo Lyceus. Aristotle, being a naturalist, often taught his students in the nature
surrounding the school, taking them on walks outside while discussing the topic of philosophy
(Soccio, 160-161). As Aristotles focus of importance was mainly on the natural world and its
inhabitants rather than mathematics, his subjects differed greatly from Platos as well as the
lower classes of the students that filled his school. By founding the Lyceum, and allowing more
entrants into the school, Aristotle changed the amount of exposure the general public had to
education, and more of the public therefore became educated in Aristotles subjects and
philosophies about the world around them.
Plato believed happiness could be obtained through living in a balanced environment.
This included, not-so-shockingly, a balanced government, and all basic needs having been met.
Within a balanced society, happiness is achieved through the four cardinal virtues: Temperance,
Courage, Wisdom, and Platonic Justice. These four virtues correspond to one, if not all, of the
classes existing within Platos perfect government. The workers must achieve temperance, or
moderation with desires and necessities, whereas the government must give as well as take what
is necessary to and from its people. Wisdom is taken care of by the philosopher-kings, the rulers,
who make sound decisions on behalf of the other people in order to maintain connection with
the good and to channel it into their society. Platonic Justice is the result of each cardinal virtue
being met by each member of the class. When Platonic Justice is obtained, happiness is as well
(Soccio, 146).

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Aristotles view on happiness starts and ends with his theory of entelechy. The reaching
of ones full potential is what allows an individual to become happy. This combined with a form
of temperance, quite similar to Platos, can result in a happy individual. When someone hits the
mark between deficiency and excess when given an ultimatum between two extremes, or vices,
happiness can be achieved. Aristotle believed that a happy individual will have hit the marks
between virtues and vices, however it is more common to hit closer to one of the vices than a
balanced virtue between them. By learning to hit the mark, people can become their best selves,
and therefore obtain happiness (Soccio, 181-182).
Although Aristotle was a pupil of Plato, and they share similarities in their philosophical
styles and teaching, they differ in answering the questions regarding metaphysics, epistemology,
ethics, and politics. Their teachings formed and changed the world around them, pushing limits
of beliefs and limits on the realities of the individuals who had an ear to listen to their teachings.
Because of their profound impact on the world and its societies, Platos and Aristotles
philosophies are still shared today, making them two of the most renowned philosophers of all
time.

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Works Cited
Soccio, Douglas J. Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy. 8th ed. Boston:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2013. Print.