Comparing Plato And Aristotle s Idea Of Happiness

The very foundation of our domestic and international democracy is founded upon the basis of early Athenian politics. Ancient Greeks created the very idea of democracy, which today seems so simple but at this time, a complex and entirely new idea. They created the idea of citizenship, pathing the way to for the representative democratic style of government that is practiced worldwide. At this time, their ideas were not inherited by different cultures but by merely the ideas of philosophers. Greek philosophers embark on a quest for â€Å"a good life† and the best political constitution to accompany it. Although the main philosophers we’ve discussed have similar yet different ideas on how to live a happy and fulfilling life, in turn, it has†¦show more content†¦He sees the virtues of the soul parallel to the virtues of the city and one in which each of the parts (reason, spirit, and appetite) perform its proper function. Plato argues that an orderly and just s oul is significant to living a happier life than anyone who lives a life of disorder and conflict with an unjust soul. . Thrasymachus, a sophist of Ancient Greece, describes the connection between what is â€Å"just† and â€Å"unjust† and how it relates to one’s happiness. He teaches us that injustice brings about what is of most value for an individual. Thus pursing, what one deems as justice, as leading to unhappiness, â€Å"since it will limit one’s ability to acquire external goods†. We are taught that a physically just person’s soul acts in the psychological state of proper function. Thus one is physically unjust when one of the parts of the soul fails to perform its proper function. Plato argues that a just person with an orderly soul has a more fuller, better and happier life than anyone whose soul is not in order; and one with a thoroughly unjust soul, a soul in disorder and conflict, is miserable. Plato’s underlying idea her e is that although a kind of happy life is possible if each part of the soul perform its function, they happiest life is one in which each part of the soul performs its function with complete excellence if it is allowed to set the goals for the individual. Plato continues his quest to find the true