PHIL 201: Ancient Greek Philosophy – Milestone 2: Comparative Essay on Plato and Aristotle
Course: PHIL 201: Ancient Greek Philosophy (Introduction to Western Philosophy)
University Example: Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) or similar institutions like Grand Canyon University (GCU)
Assignment Type: Milestone 2 (Essay Assignment)
Due Date: Week 5, Semester 1, 2026
Weight: 20% of final grade
Word Count: 1,050–1,400 words (approximately 3-4 pages, double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman)
Assignment Overview
This assignment requires you to compare Plato’s idealism in The Republic with Aristotle’s realism in Politics, focusing on their views of justice, the ideal state, and the role of the philosopher in society. Drawing from course readings on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, analyze key differences and evaluate their relevance to modern political thought. Use primary texts and at least four scholarly secondary sources to support your argument.
Task Description
- Introduce the core philosophical positions: Plato’s Theory of Forms and philosopher-kings versus Aristotle’s empiricism and mixed constitution.
- Compare their conceptions of justice (Plato’s tripartite soul/state vs. Aristotle’s golden mean).
- Contrast their political ideals (utopian city vs. practical polis).
- Assess strengths and limitations, linking to Socratic method as a foundation.
- Conclude with implications for contemporary governance.
Requirements
- MLA citation style (8th or 9th edition).
- Primary sources: Plato’s Republic (Books VI-VII), Aristotle’s Politics (Books III-IV), Plato’s Apology.
- 4-6 credible secondary sources (peer-reviewed journals, books 2018-2026).
- Double-spaced, 1-inch margins, title page not required.
- Submit via LMS (e.g., Canvas or Brightspace).
- Late penalty: 10% per day.
Marking Rubric
| Criteria | Excellent (A: 90-100%) | Good (B: 80-89%) | Satisfactory (C: 70-79%) | Needs Improvement (D/F: <70%) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis and Argument | Clear, original thesis; sustained, logical argument with counterarguments addressed. | Solid thesis; coherent argument with minor gaps. | Basic thesis; some logical flow but underdeveloped. | Vague or absent thesis; disorganized. | 30% |
| Analysis of Texts | Nuanced exegesis of primary texts; insightful comparisons. | Accurate use of texts; good comparisons. | Surface-level analysis; some inaccuracies. | Limited or erroneous text use. | 25% |
| Evidence and Sources | Integrates 4+ scholarly sources effectively; flawless MLA. | Appropriate sources; minor citation errors. | Few sources; inconsistent citations. | Inadequate or unreliable sources; poor citations. | 20% |
| Critical Thinking | Evaluates ideas critically; connects to modern contexts. | Some evaluation; basic connections. | Descriptive; limited critique. | Summarizes without analysis. | 15% |
| Writing Mechanics | Engaging, error-free prose; smooth transitions. | Clear writing; few errors. | Readable; some errors. | Frequent errors; unclear. | 10% |
Sample Response Guide
Plato envisions justice as harmony in the soul and state, where reason rules the appetites through philosopher-kings who access the Forms. Aristotle critiques this as impractical, favoring a balanced polity where virtue arises from habituation and the mean between extremes. In Politics, he argues that humans achieve eudaimonia in a realistic community, not an abstract ideal (Aristotle, Politics, 1253a). This shift from Plato’s rationalism to Aristotle’s empiricism grounds politics in observable constitutions. Modern democracies reflect Aristotle’s mixed government more closely, blending elements to avoid extremes.
- Submit a 3-4 page double-spaced paper analyzing Plato’s philosopher-kings versus Aristotle’s mixed polity, with primary texts and scholarly sources per guidelines.
Instructions for Course Leaders
Copy this brief directly into your LMS. Customize due date and LMS submission link only. Aligns with recurring compare-contrast essays in PHIL 101/201 at SNHU, GCU, UBC. Ensures cognitive demands match Bloom’s Analysis/Evaluation levels used in philosophy courses.
Works Cited
Grigoriadis, T., 2023. Aristotle vs. Plato: The classical origins of capitalist & socialist thought. Scottish Journal of Political Economy, 70(4), pp.312-330. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/sjpe.12339.
Zannat, M., Longhai, Z. and Forkan, S., 2026. A comparative study between Plato & Aristotle’s philosophy. UIJIR, 3(7). Available at: https://uijir.com/a-comparative-study-between-plato-aristotles-philosophy/.
Kraut, R., 2020. Aristotle’s Political Theory. In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Available at: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-politics/.
Fine, G., 2019. Plato on Knowledge and Forms. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780198834482.001.0001.
Schofield, M., 2022. Plato: Political Philosophy. Oxford Bibliographies. DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780195396577-0123.
