Comparison of Aristotle and Plato's Works: Nicomachean Ethics and The Allegory of the Cave

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BIG IDEAS
Great thinkers have made a tremendous contribution to human society. They have given
theories and philosophies that have provided people perspective of viewing the society in
different ways with virtues and moral values (Tonnies and Loomis). Two of the great thinkers
belonging from the ancient era are Aristotle and Plato (Nightingale). Even in the contemporary
period, their philosophies play an essential role in shaping perspective. The paper aims to
compare and contrast the works of the two philosophers considering their two famous works,
Nicomachean Ethics and The Allegory of the cave. The main idea of the two works will be
discussed in order to compare and contrast both.
According to Keys, Nicomachean ethics is a philosophical inquiry to the nature of
human’s good life. Nicomachean ethics is considered as one of the most influential books with
classic wisdom. Aristotle presents the way to achieve happiness, the goal of every man.
According to Aristotle, all human activities are done in order to attain something that is certainly
good and brings happiness. No action is performed if one thinks it will be bad for them. Among
these, most activities are not the primary objective however they are means to a higher end.
Therefore, the action is the end in itself is the highest good, where the highest good is happiness.
Since humans only aim at happiness, it is the greatest mission. According to Prior, considering

the greatest mission, Aristotle offers lessons on the significant aspects of human life that help in
achieving the greatest mission such as wealth, money, the middle ground, justice and friendship.
According to Aristotle, good are the supreme goal of life and the main purpose of life. He
distinguishes between three types of happiness setting priority to each one. Money is not and
cannot b the end of life according to Aristotle, and he sets a middle ground where anything
access is dangerous. He highlights the two aspects of justice, individual and global justice where
both are significant to society. Lastly, he empathises on the most necessary for life, friendship.
The Athenian philosopher, Plato was an advocator of knowledge and reasons and is
known widely as the founder of the Platonist school of thought. According to Blenkinsop and
Beeman, the Allegory of the cave is a story that coveys an important message that lead to
happiness. The allegory is a story about three prisoners who have always been in prison and
never seen the outside world. The three people used by Plato in the story is a representation of
common people who commonly make the mistake of gaining knowledge through senses. There
was only a part of the prison where the prisoners would a glimpse of the outer world in shadows.
Also, since they were tied in upside down, they would see the shadows upside down on the stone
wall. Since the three prisoners never saw the world outside the prison, they would perceive the
outer world from the shadows. They would play games of guessing the objects passing shadows.
One of the prisoners escaped the prison, and after he was exposed to the outer world, he was
surprised to the world in an entirely different condition. After seeing the world in real condition,
his intellectual journey begins, and he understands that all these years of guessing the outer
world have been meaningless. He started following his new world and began exploring the world
with each discovery (Wicks). When he returned to the prison, he explained to the other prisoners.
However, they did not believe him and even threatened to kill him if he tried changing their