Essays and Research Papers on Classic Greek Philosophy

6 pages in length. To Aristotle, friendship, ethics and happiness are drawn from the same form, inasmuch as ethics represent the fundamental basis of one's existence; true friendship can only be derived from ethical behavior; and happiness is an intrinsic by-product of friendship. What is happiness if not a state of mind? ...

A 5 page paper discussing Aristotle's account of human nature and the individual's ability to overcome desire for interests only of the self. This provides the foundation for Aristotle's ethical theory in that virtues are learned. They are not innate, making them available to all wishing to pursue them. In-place leaders are those who ...

A five page paper which look at Aristotle’s theories regarding the pursuit of virtue in individuals and in society in the Nicomachean Ethics, and how the aspiration towards right action of individuals has an interactive and beneficial impact on the community as a whole. Bibliography lists 1 source

This 5 page paper takes a look at Aristotle's concept and provides examples. The philosopher's original work Politics is utilized. Plato's take on the matter is also reviewed in light of his work called The Republic. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

(5 pp) In Plato's Apology, Socrates defends his actions or his innocence against the charges placed against him. This discussion examines whether Plato is presenting him as innocent of those charges, or presenting Socrates is actually "the Innocent." Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page report discusses Aristotle’s views as applied to human reproduction. The second book of the Physics is of primary consequence for understanding Aristotle’s thinking. In it, he considers nature and the distinction between the sciences and proposes his theory of the four classifications of causes, while it also establishes the existence of conclusiveness or a sense of ...

Dante in Inferno and Plato in The Republic both address the relationship between the soul and the sins of man. This 5 page paper argues that Dante's presentation of the levels of sin reflect Plato's beliefs of what constituted the soul and negatively mirrors the attributes of an ideal society. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page report discusses three schools of thought: Moral Relativism, as presented by Immanuel Kant; Moral Communitarianism, as presented by Plato; and, Moral Liberalism as presented in the thinking of Epicurus. The most basic principles of such thinking are briefly outlined, as well as a note regarding a weakness that is part of that particular framework of thinking. ...

In The Republic, Socrates becomes involved in a dialogue with Cephalus concerning justice. This 5 page paper explores the meaning of justice for both Cephalus and Glaucon, the purpose of Socrates' questioning of Cephalus and the meaning of justice within the parameters of the state. No additional sources are listed.

A 5 page essay that seeks to explain the differences between the way Plato and Aristotle explained "forms." The writer, after discussing this, argues that Aristotle proposed the better explanation of the two. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A five page paper which looks at the way in which earlier philosophical structures, in particular Stoicism and the works of Aristotle, have influenced and contributed to Christian principles of moral value, integrity and the definition of the social order in relation to the universe. Bibliography lists 2 sources

(5 pp). When we ask ourselves how Plato arrives at any decision it is easiest to understand that philosopher will lead us across the stream of our own lack of knowledge, stepping from one stone of definition to the next. Thus when we reach the "other side," or have picked up the knowledge, ...

This 7 page paper is in two parts, the first part considers the beliefs and thoughts of Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes. The second part moves on to Heraclitus and Parmenides. Both parts of the paper look at the similarities and differences and conclude with which philosophy is, in the writers opinion, the most plausible theory. ...

A five page paper which considers Isaac Singer’s concept of love in Appraisal and Betrayal from the viewpoint propounded in Plato’s Symposium, in terms of the relationship between rationality and emotion, and assesses whether the two writers’ perspectives are mutually incompatible. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper explores the views of Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics and C. S. Lewis in his book, The Four Loves, on the issues of friendship and love. No additional sources are listed.

This 5 page paper examines the concepts of truth and justice using Plato's Apology. The Socratic method, and its relevance to finding the truth, is discussed in detail. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 6 page report discusses Plato’s examination of the nature of justice. It then considers Aristotle’s concept of differing types of justice. In any discussion or comparison of Aristotle and Plato, there are certain factors that it is important to understand. Philosophically, the works of Aristotle reflect his gradual departure from the teachings of Plato and his adoption of a new approach. ...

This 5 page report discusses Plato and Microsoft chairman Bill Gates in terms of their rhetorical powers. To include the persona and accomplishments of Microsoft’s Bill Gates in the discussion of Plato and rhetoric is to introduce a component of the modern world that demonstrates the ways in which vision can be (and has been) interpreted as a characteristic of successful ...

A 5 page essay that analyzes the changes that occurred in Socrates orientation between the Apology and the Phaedo. The writer argues that Socrates' arguments (as related by Plato) in the Phaedo culminate in Socrates expressing his belief in the immortality of the soul, a position on which he was ambiguous in the Apology. No ...

This 5 page report discusses the issue of what it means to be human, what it even means to be. Does an individual become human or is that individual only that individual? How does being differ from to be? Using the concepts presented by Plato in “The Allegory of the Cave,” the writer shows what it means to ...

This 5 page report discusses these three concepts as understood and presented by Aristotle, Democritus, and Rene Descartes. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 5 page report discusses Plato’s “Meno” and how he developed arguments about the substance of memory and techniques to access memory in his work “Meno.” “Meno” stimulated new debates about the cultural structures related to memory and their control, and about the definition of knowledge as recollection or invention. Bibliography lists only the primary source.

A 5 page paper which examines what Socrates means when he describes the prisoners in the cave as being “like ourselves,” and considers whether or not his assessment is accurate. No additional sources are used.

A five page paper which looks at Aristotle’s philosophy of virtue and well-being as exemplified by the concept of eudaemonia, and the commentary of Richard Kraut on Aristotle’s intellectual elitism in his definition of virtue. Bibliography lists 2 sources

(7 pp) One of the things, that seems to happen whenever we think of philosophy, is this perverse mental block that flings itself into the air, calling something similar to, "Danger! Will Robinson. Danger! Danger!" Many of us get stuck there - take the warning and run the opposite direction. Take ...