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.