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Plato & Aristotle: The Ideal State
Initially, a state is defined as a “territorial entity divided into government and subject; and claiming
within its allotted area, supremacy over all other institutions”. The word “ideal” simply means a
“perfected standard”. Hence, an ideal state must be a state that is based on a perfected standard. Plato
and Aristotle both prescribed what these perfected standards on which the state be based, should be,
according to their metaphysical orientation about man. Though, quite a number, a few points on which
they both agree are given next;
COMPARING PLATO AND ARISTOTLE’S IDEAL STATE
i.
For both, the end of the state is ethical; as justice is the basis for the ideal state. For Plato, the
individual and the state are one, as they both have a tripartite nature of which justice is the result of a
sound balance of these three parts. Aristotle asserts that the city-state (polis) comes into being for the
sake of life, but exists for the sake of the good life.
ii.
Critics of Democracy – Both perceived democracy as the worst form of government. For Plato,
democracy is the worst of all lawful (best) governments and the best of all lawless (worst) ones. For
Aristotle, “a perverted polity degenerates into democracy (a rule by the mob) which is a bad form of
government.
iii.
Education: A national concern – Plato prescribed that everyone must be given an equal
opportunity in order to prove their mettle as regards where they belong in the social stratification. This
is why he established the academy. For Aristotle, there should be laws guiding education as a national
concern. For each is a part of the state and the care bestowed on each part, naturally tends towards the
care of the whole. Aristotle, like Plato, also established a school “the lyceum”.
iv.
Slavery and stratification of citizens -Both considered slaves as properties of their masters
and justified the fact that some people are by nature slaves. The fact that both philosophers hail from
aristocratic (wealthy) families could be the reason for this. Likewise, as regards the social
classifications of citizens, for Plato it is the “guardians”, “auxiliaries” and “artisans”. For Aristotle it
is the “rich”, “middle class” and “poor”,
v.
Size of the ideal state - Both prescribed that the ideal state be small in size, in order to attain
perfection easier. The Greek state (Athens) was relatively small. Also, it happened that the whole of
Greece was divided into small city-states, of which each had their own autonomous government and
ruling system.
CONTRASTING PLATO AND ARISTOTLE’S IDEAL STATE
i.
Private property
Plato prescribed in his communism concerning the abolishment of private property, especially to the
guardians and the auxiliaries. Plato says anything (property) that must be owned by them, must be
owned collectively. This could be as a reason of their societal hierarchy and the tendency to abuse such
privilege.
Aristotle on the other hand criticized the abolition of private property, as he recognizes the need to own
such even though the private possession of goods must be within certain limits. He therefore preached
against the excessive accumulation of goods and advised citizens to use their limited possessions for
the benefit of the common good.
ii.
Feminism
Plato’s republic ideal state supports feminism, in that education for ruling as well as the job for ruling
itself should be open to girls and women like the men. Thus, one’s sex is generally irrelevant to ones
qualifications for education or employment.
Aristotle asserts that the women are normally subordinate to men, for the male is by nature superior
and the female inferior. The men rules but the women are ruled (though not as slaves). Thus, Aristotle
accepts the customary patriarchal subordination of women to men.
iii.
Concept of ruling
Plato’s ruling ideology has been summarized as the “rule of the best man” – the philosopher king who
alone knows the ideal standards for the state. Also, ruling is a skill; as the best man must be trained to
rule. Ruling is also an ideal.
Aristotle’s ruling ideology has been summarized as the “rule of the best laws” – a well ordered
constitution, which entails good governance. For him, although ruling is a skill and an ideal as well; it
is also a science (although Aristotle understands politics as a normative or prescriptive discipline rather
than as a “purely” empirical or descriptive inquiry).
iv.
Family
Plato proposes the abolishment of the family in his communism, as he says the guardians and the
auxiliaries shall have no wife of their own, but in common. Children should be separated from their
parents at birth and raised by the state. Thus, there will be more unity and fewer disharmonies.
Aristotle disagrees and upheld that the family is the bedrock of the state and fundamental society
established according to the law of nature to provide man’s daily needs. He despised communism, in
his words “...everybody is inclined to neglect something which he expects another to fulfill; as in
families many attendants are often less useful than a few”.