Fundamentals of Cosmic View of Justice disapproved by Aristotle
Plato believed Justice is the core value of existence and had the perspective of it at the individual level and the state level. According to this cosmic view, Individual justice is embodied in the right placement of the human spiritual components, namely wisdom, courage, and appetite (Dashti, 2014). The duty of an individual is supposed to be playing a specific part in the society, by the full dedication of self. Plato sees human as part of a system that lost its perfection in the contemporary state. In an ideal state, one man should be performing one role in the best way possible, using their natural given capabilities. Justice as a virtue of equality is achieved through purpose, whereby everyone playing a role would create a balance and avoid antagonizing individuals.
The Cosmic view does not grant equality to individuals, but nature dictated the position of an individual in society. Plato’s claim that the manifestation of one of the spirits components over the others, place someone in their rightful class (Dashti, 2014). This entails that there is a natural hierarchy of classes and that each individual should feel content in their class. The highest class was made of royally born individuals who possess innate wisdom, the second class made of the auxiliary people with valor. Finally, the third class known as artisans are supposed to be self-restrained and full of obedience.
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The third Cosmic Justice claim that Aristotle disproves is Plato’s belief that the soul is perfectly rational. In it lies wisdom, ideas and a source of goodness that is always yearning to break from the body’s confinement. In this idea, the body is where evil dwells and is a temporary shelter for the immortal soul. The spirit dwelling in a cosmic realm, like other natural features, is obliged to observe the law of justice. The reasoning behind this is that justice is not a legal matter but a moral virtue that does not change with time.
Aristotle reasoning for disapproving the Fundamentals of Cosmic View
Aristotle holds that Individual Justice is built on a system of rights, whereby it is personally relative to individuals values (Dashti, 2014). Aristotle disagrees with the notion that individuals are meant to be serving a sole purpose in the society in natural terms. Aristotle advocates for everyone having a right to ownership. I partly agree with both philosophers concerning the purpose of human beings in life. Given that human beings are different in characteristics and shape, they are okay choosing what they are good at doing as Plato suggests. However, I disagree with the claim that human purpose in life entails full dedication to one role, without the need to venture in other paths. I support Aristotle in championing for equal rights for every individual who contributes to a course.
Aristotle disputes that there are no naturally created hierarchies. Aristotle believes in justice as a system of equality, whereby equal and unequal are entitled to the same (Dashti, 2014). He also agrees with Plato on fairness being the essence behind states, as individuals are obligated to exercise justice towards each other. However, Aristotle's views focus more on the system rights other than the importance of duties. This means that the natural worth of an individual is curtailed by the goodness or badness of the government in place. He denies that equality is achieved when allocations are made based on classes, but only when each individual receives a proper allocation based on their contribution to society. The appropriation, in this case, is not limited to resources but to privileges too. In my view, Plato believed in a hierarchical system given that he was nobly born, and was made to think that his nobleness was innate (Salamone, 2017). Since he was content with his position, he thought everyone else should be satisfied. In the current world, both philosophers’ notions are alive, but Aristotle’s thought proves to be more practical as the majority of the world has embraced democracy that champions for more human rights.
The ultimate quest for man has in Aristotle's view is achieving happiness through his soul (Dashti, 2014). He borrows Plato’s idea of the human soul having an irrational and rational part, which he uses to defy Socrates thinking that whoever thinks right, has to translate it to right deeds. And according to Plato, all humans being spiritual beings have an innate power to be perfect by being wise, courageous, temperate and just. On the other hand, Aristotle believes that humanity has the right to choose to do good or evil. The existence of complete justice would not have resulted in happiness as it takes both just and unjust actions to fulfill self. I support Aristotle in this view because Socrates understanding of fulfillment are inspired by Greek mythology and culture belief in trying to achieve godly status, which is the epitome of living.
My choice of View of Justice
I disqualify the Cosmic View of Justice as it remains a traditional Greek belief with more great knowledge that defines justice and equality (Salamone, 2017). Justice in Plato’s eyes is fixed on destinies, which the individual and society should fulfill by playing rightful parts. In doing so, it creates a balance in the cosmic realm. In this case, it is possible for equality to be achieved even when one class rules over the other, as long as a rule is moderated by reason. Some of Aristotle’s views are as well inspired by Plato’s foundations borrowing the idea of spiritual existence, and courage making Greeks supreme over other ethnic backgrounds.
I partly approve Aristotle’s thinking as he supports my belief in humans having equal rights and standards of freedom as dictated by the government. Justice in my perspective is not perfectly achievable as there are many factors affecting man’s stay in society. I also believe that it is upon humans to exercise their moral obligations towards each other. It is more realistic to live in pursuit of happiness based on rational and irrational ideas other than achieving a state of perfection through reason, moderation, courage, and perfection of justice.
References
Hamedi, A. (2014). The concept of Justice in Greek Philosophy (Plato and Aristotle). Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(27), 1163-1167.
Salamone, M. A. (2017). Equality and justice in early Greek cosmologies: The paradigm of the line of the horizon. Philosophy and Cosmology, 18, 22-31.
