A Comparison Of Political Philosophy Between Confucius And Plato

We cannot talk over the individual problems of morality purely, because the contact between any individual and state is so intimate. Any philosophy about human action is some kind of"Political"Philosophy to a great extent. Facing the same social history, Confucius and Plato, who act as the inheritors and innovators in Western and Chinese cultures, bring forward their own political thoughts. They all try to organize a"greatly harmonious society"or"Republic"based on the policy of public ownership, in which there are no social stratum and exploitation. They advocate the ruler should be a"worthy"or"philosophy-king". But there exist many differences. In the historical context of State-Family Integration, giving emphasis to blood ties and ethical order, Confucius's main object is to establish an"Ethical Country". In ancient Greek, it is equal, independent and free between individuals. Justice is the thread of the Republic. Plato describes a happy and harmonious society by discussing justice of state and individuals. To Plato, justice of state means that every class abides by its order and fulfills its duties. Individual justice means the harmony of individual soul. It regulates individuals to control and restrain themselves in their soul and do every thing right. Compared with the ethical country of Confucius, Plato seeks to establish a"Moral State".In the development of Western philosophy, the important categories of human and God always occupy a predominate position. The philosophy of Plato asserts ideal forms as an absolute and eternal reality of which the phenomena of the world are an imperfect and transitory reflection. Consequently, it causes the earth and heaven to be in conflicting and contrasting positions. Confucius bases his philosophy upon the world, not upon the heaven, and goes beyond it. He wants to harmonize the world and the heaven.