Greek Philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle had virtually the same beliefs about man's relation to the State, although Plato's political theory of the State was more rational than Socrates or Aristotle's. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle all believed that man was notself-sufficient, they believed man would be most happy living in a State. They alsobelieved that all men wanted to live the truly good life where they could be in tune withthe truth and achieve their ultimate goals. Although Socrates, Plato and Aristotle'spolitical views of the State are similar, Plato's view is more rational than Socrates andAristotle's in the sense that he created an ideal State. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle werethree philosophers in ancient Greece who believed that no man was self-sufficientenough to live on his own. Plato believed "a State comes into existence because noindividual is self-sufficing" (Stumph, 70). This theory of Plato's was also shared byAristotle who said "He who is unable to live in society or who has no need because he issufficient for himself, must either be a beast or a god" (Stumph, 103). These two viewsindicate the importance of a State to an individual according to Plato and Aristotle. Allthree philosophers believed that man would be much happier if he was part of a Staterather than on his own. Socrates once stated "We are all more productive if we specializein one thing rather than try to excel at many things" (Stumph, 40). Within the StateSocrates believed that there would be a division of labour for the provision of food,shelter and clothing. An individual living outside of a State would have to providethemselves with these necessities. As Socrates stated above within the State you wouldspecialize in one thing only, while a different individual would specialize in somethingelse and this would allow the quality and the quantity of the product to increase. "Platoassumes that we are all born with physical and intellectual equ...
