Plato
Plato’s theory of the forms
• We use the same word for many different kinds of things
• Justice: people, laws, government
• How can one word apply to such a wide variety of things?
• There is a common form of justice→exists eternally, separate from physical realm
• Form of good
• People, horses, governments, laws, educational systems→partake in this invisible form of good
Criticism
The same word has different meanings
There is not a common meaning for all the different ways we use the word good
• Plato argues that the guardians are the happiest people, despite no private wealth, nuclear family o High level social workers, working for the good of the whole, rather than to enrich themselves personally
• What makes them so happy? o Knowledge of the form of the good = wisdom o Virtues: justice, moderation, courage, wisdom o Rational part rules their soul o With rational part ruling soul it can apply the knowledge that it has; drink with moderation
Aristotle agrees → happiness = the virtues = the highest human good
Virtues are not knowledge
Virtue is soul’s/body’s activity in accordance with reason
Someone who is asleep could have knowledge, but is not using it, but you could still say you’re knowledgeable
We wouldn’t call a sleeping person virtuous, sits in a meditation cave for 20 years→we wouldn’t call this person virtuous
Virtues are a mean between two extremes Courage is a mean between cowardice and foolhardiness Generosity, greedy to spend-throat
Happiness is in activity, not passivity
Things that are so widely ranging, good party--good priest, what could they have in common
One priest prays all the time, the other priest is more active; cave analogy, the good life is helping others, enlightening the ignorant
Aristotle puts emphasis on actual real life experience
Virtue major: Plato’s curriculum math and science
Aristotle’s curriculum: service learning, volunteer