Friday, September 12, 2014
They Are Not That Different After All
During lecture it was made quite obvious that the theories of Plato and Aristotle on how one becomes good are different. While Plato focuses on the theory and knowledge of being good, Aristotle states the relevancy of doing good, physical deeds. Also, the Platonic view is more focused on one's own soul rather than the effects we have on others as Aristotle emphasizes. One theory is mental while the other is physical, but the outline of each theory have similarities. Aristotle's "Doctrine of the Golden Mean" is a balance between excess vice and deficient vice similarly, Plato's division and balance of the soul between Rationality, Spirit, and Appetite influence our own happiness and goodness. My interest is on how the two balancing acts are realated. If a person has a rational soul outweighing the appetite and spirit, are they not at a "the golden mean"? Both balanced states of being, described by the two philosophers, represent a good and happy person. So, if these two theories do not have a direct correlation, what is their correlation to each other? Are Plato and Aristotle expressing the same need for balance just using different symbolism?
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I agree with the fact that a rational person does exhibit a "golden mean", but I also disagree. According to Aristotle, the golden mean is very specific. It is the perfect point between excess and deficiency. I think you may have to be rational to find the golden mean, so I see how you've made the link, but the theories are different. Although both philosophers are showing the need for balance in two different ways, they are giving is different types of balance: the balance of the soul and the balance of our actions.
ReplyDeleteI agree in the sense that I see both philosophers grasping for a sense of balance. Plato ponders the division of the soul while Aristotle finds the way of living a good and virtuous life. I see where you're coming from when you say one is mental and the other is physical, but couldn't one say the soul is physical as well? A persons soul is an attachment of who they are which in the sense where Plato links it to emotions and other actions that can be effected by the soul. I believe that virtuous actions can stem from the soul and one can create a happy life for themselves. I see the correlation between the two philosophers in that way.
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