Jason Midkiff

PHI 100
10-2-15
Plato and Aristotle, two of the most important philosophy that we know. Their works
were published over 2000 years ago, but their effect are still as strong as when first published
them. Since then, the world has changed significantly. Books, ideas, science, technology, its all
different. But even after all this change, these philosophers ideas still hold truths in our modern
society, specifically The United States.
Platos most famous allegory, the allegory of the cave, is a writing that is extensively
researched. . In the allegory of the cave, prisoners have a false reality, what they think is real
turns out not to be true. This is discovered when one of them is let free and is enlightened, he
finds the truth, the true reality. Instead of seeing shadows and figures, he sees the good, the
highest object in knowledge. The significance of this allegory is that the reality that someone
may think is true could be very wrong, and when someone else proposes that this false reality
could be incorrect they are reluctant to believe them. Plato argued that a majority of people in
society are cave dwellers, I believe this still hold true today, and even with the easy access to
information many people dont use it to their advantage. Because of this they might believe
something that is wrong, and when people try to correct them with factual evidence they are very
reluctant to believe them. A good example of this is the argument over evolution, many people
dont believe in it even though the evidence supporting it is vast. The factual knowledge has
become the true knowledge for us, it supports our theories, thoughts, and decisions. According
to Plato, knowledge is something that is infallible, something unchanging, and its not
judgement. Because of this Plato would judge todays society has unfavorable. Our knowledge is

changing, we rely more on science, which changes often, for knowledge. Another reason he
would view our society as unfavorable is our education. His belief of education is to orientate the
mind in the direction of the goodness, not just planting information into the mind. Todays
education is often just educators making their students remember information rather than turning
their minds away from darkness. Because of these I believe if Plato was placed in the world
today he would view it unfavorably.
Platos most famous student is Aristotle, with Aristotle came different, more science
related viewpoints. Aristotles knowledge is different from Platos, and more fitting to our
society. Our education system today gives students a lot of experience with different fields, an
example would be UK core classes. This would make Aristotles view on society more favorable
because he thinks experience his needed to eventually get to wisdom. Wisdom is knowing why is
something is done. Students learn why over longer studies, their major, graduate studies, etc.
Aristotle also has an idea of wonder. Wonder is the action of seeking knowledge for the sake of
knowledge, no other reason other than to have knowledge. With this Aristotle would think our
society lacks wonder. Most people only seek knowledge that can assist them in some way, for a
test, for the major, or their career. Todays society is money driven, people seek knowledge that
can assist them with making money with a career they love. This drive for knowledge for a
purpose goes against Aristotles idea of wonder. With all these aspects combined, Aristotle
would view our society more favorable than Plato, but he would wish that the why behind things
was taught more often, and our drive for knowledge was driven for the sake of having
knowledge.
Plato and Aristotle, teacher and student. Even with this connection their views are
different. Despite their differences their ideas are still true in our society today, even though

today is immeasurably different from their society. Plato would view our society as less
favorable, he wouldnt like our definition of knowledge, or that we are still stuck in the cave.
Whereas Aristotle would view our society has mostly favorable. Favorable in aspects except that
wisdom is taught later in life, and that most people lack wonder. Despite their differing views its
still amazing how their 2000 year old views still hold true in todays world.