Justice and the Common Good: Plato and Aristotle

Justice as the State's Purpose: Plato

Some thinkers believe the State's main function is to ensure justice, a view held by Plato. However, discrepancies arise when defining justice.

Justice: A Virtue of the Soul

Plato believed humans are composed of body and soul. The soul has three parts:

• Rational (knowledge)
• Volitional (ambition and will)
• Appetitive (desires)

Each part has a specific virtue:

• Rational: Wisdom/Prudence
• Volitional: Strength/Courage
• Appetitive: Temperance

According to Plato, justice exists when each part of the soul fulfills its respective virtue.

Justice and Social Order in Plato's Republic

Plato's Republic describes a just state analogous to the human soul, with three classes:

• Philosopher-Rulers (wisdom)
• Guardians/Warriors (courage)
• Producers (temperance)

When each class fulfills its virtue, justice prevails.

The Common Good as the State's Purpose: Aristotle

Many political theories, including Aristotle's, posit that the state aims to achieve the common good. However, the meaning of 'common good' is often debated.

Aristotle: Ethics and Politics

Aristotle believed happiness, achieved through practicing intellectual and moral virtues, is the ultimate human goal. He argued that happiness is achieved within a community, not in isolation. As a 'political animal,' humans naturally form families, villages, and states. The polis, being self-sufficient, is the most perfect union, enabling happiness, though only for citizens.

Aristotle: Right and Wrong Political Regimes

A political regime is a way of organizing society, varying based on the form of government. Governments can be ruled by one, a minority, or a majority, resulting in six forms:

• Right Forms (benefit citizens): Monarchy, Aristocracy, Republic
• Wrong Forms (serve private interests): Tyranny, Oligarchy, Democracy