Aristotle's approach to political theory differs from Plato's: Plato, seeking a transcendent ideal that exists only in the heaven of the forms, found all existing political forms unsuitable and proposed a single ideal form (philosopher kings); Aristotle, holding that forms exist only in particulars and can be imperfectly actualized in various ways, is open to alternative political constitutions.

factualpending

Speaker

Unidentified Speaker — A History of Philosophy | 14 Aristotle's Ethics [cxHz6E0KgKg]

Evidence Quote

Plato repudiated existing forms of government as unsuited unjust unstable um aristocracy democracy tyranny oligarchy none of them work he therefore set up one and only one kind of political ideal under the rule of philosopher Kings you see now now that I suspect is because Plato's ideal was an ideal that exists only in the transcendant heaven of Plato's forms yes see uh for Aristotle um the forms only exist in the world of particulars particulars imperfectly actualize the forms so there might be various competing imperfect actualizations of the ideal state [28:20]

Source

A History of Philosophy | 14 Aristotle's Ethicswheatoncollege
Created: 8/11/2026, 12:01:26 AM

My Notes

Loading notes...