The first thing to mention is the question of virtue. The main thesis of Socrates is that the knowledge and virtue are identical. The good, according to Socrates, consists of both the beauty and truth. Apart from it, Socrates defended the objective character of knowledge and paid great attention to the study of a man as a moral being. Moreover, the philosopher pointed out the interdependence between the soul and divinity as well as the probability of the soul immortality. Man`s virtue, according to Socrates, may be measured by his union with the divine wisdom as long as such wisdom requires deep moral knowledge.
Unlike Socrates, Plato stated that all the virtues are based on certain qualities of the human soul. For instance, wisdom is the product of the mind, courage results from man`s will and temperance is the consequence of the sensuality overcoming. Justice is a combination of the three previous virtues. Plato also believed that each social class has its own virtue. The philosophers are wise, while the guardians have courage. The farmers and artisans, according to Plato, possess temperance.
In order to have a comprehensive understanding of what is virtue according to the philosophers of Ancient Greece, we need to take a closer look at the ideas of Aristotle. Aristotle distinguished the virtues of will and the virtues of intelligence. He believed that there is a direct connection between virtues and the happiness as long as the virtue is not only the path to happiness, but it is also an important part of happiness. Aristotle believes that irrational, sensual part of the soul is obedient to its intellectual part. The manner of this obedience is similar to a way, in which a child obeys his father. According to Aristotle, the virtue is a habit of finding a rational middle between one`s will and obedience.
As to the problem of society organization, Socrates`s views have had a significant impact on the concept of the state as well as on the development of the political science. He came to the conclusion that law is the foundation of a state (polis). In his view, the normal organization of society is only possible on the basis of the law. Socrates emphasized on the need to comply with the laws in order to enable proper functioning of the state. He also considered the law-abiding behavior to be a human virtue.
Furthermore, this theoretical point of equating legitimate and just, allowed Socrates to distinguish various forms of governance. If the government is based on the will of the people and state laws, he believed, it may be called a kingdom. If everything is decided by the ruler, that it is tyranny. The power of wealth Socrates called plutocracy and so on. Along with the mentioned, Socrates had interesting reflections on the public policy. According to him, successful governing requires employment of knowledgeable and specially trained people.
As to Plato and his views on the organization of society, it should be stated that he made no distinguish between the notions “state” and “society”. In order to satisfy their needs, the philosopher believed, people require a joint settlement, which is a state (or society). A state results from the inborn social needs of people. The state is necessary for the maintenance of order as well as for the protection of people from external enemies. All citizens, according to Plato, should support the government (as it has already been stated, Plato divided the citizens into three groups: philosophers, guardians as well as artisans and peasants). Nevertheless, the state should be governed by philosophers.
Furthermore, Plato gave characteristics for the forms of state power. He believed that the correct forms of government are monarchy and aristocracy, while oligarchy, democracy and tyranny are the distorted ones. According to Plato, a state is close to perfection, when it is dominated by laws, not by the rulers. Plato put forward and substantiated the idea of the perfect structure of the state. Public service, in his opinion, requires talented, well-trained and highly moral people. However, he believed that such a state may be possible in a very distant future.
All things considered, both Socrates and Plato have expressed many ideas that are still relevant even nowadays. This applies, first of all, to the idea of the rule of law. Nevertheless, I consider Socrates to be more democratic and progressive than Plato, because Socrates believed in the power of a man as well as in the possibility of a change, while Plato was convinced in the key role of hierarchy. As to Aristotle, is should be stated that he is rather moderate in his judgments about obedience and virtue, which also enables us to refer to his works in the 21st century. Arriving to the conclusion, in the present essay I have analyzed the views of Socrates and Plato on both human virtue and state. Apart from it, I have also present reflections of Aristotle on the issues of virtue and obedience. Moreover, I`ve argued that Socrates has been more innovative in his views than Plato.
Works Cited
Kraut, Richard. “Socrates and Plato”. The Routledge Companion to Ethics. 2010: 31-41. PDF file.
Sandel, Michael J. Justice. What`s the Right Thing to Do?. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009. Print.
