Essay - Aristotle and Plato -ethics Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

- Aristotle and Plato -ethics - Essay Example the Cave, he presented the idea that people are living in a world of forms, within which the ideas that were called truths were mere projections of the reality. For that matter, he considered that the ethical way of life for man was to achieve goodness which he defied as the level of understanding the real nature of things. This he stated can be done through education (Plato 453). Aristotle on the other hand presented in the work The Aim of Man his main ideas on ethics. According to him, ethics is a form of practical science, thus he was known for his experiential approach in ethics (Aristotle 691). Based on the views of Plato or Aristotle then, one’s way of life is more ethical and practical that another when one does not only think of one’s own goodness but contribute to the goodness of the society and the state. Through the course of the discussion then, both the views of the two philosophers will be discussed. The differences between Aristotle and Plato can be presented on different points. The first one is in relation to the manner of achieving an ethical life. Aristotle viewed that ethics was more practical and experiential while Plato viewed that it is more theoretical. Aristotle presented a view on ethics that is more practical and experiential. For that matter, based on his view, one’s life can be more ethical if it is more experiential. This means that a person needs to primarily focus on his or her function in the society to have an ethical life. Aristotle indicated that a man needs to be â€Å"rational and exercise his reason, not just possess it† because this is what separates him from other animals (Aristotle 700). He believed that goodness can be defined as a state wherein a particular entity maximizes its potentials and skills (Aristotle 694). One example that can be given is the profession. If a person is good in a certain field of study such as arts, he or she needs to pursue that field. In this manner, life is more ethical