Difference Between Aristotle And Alfarabi

While Aristotle is widely known for his political theories, not as many people are familiar with Alfarabi. Alfarabi, however, modeled many of his teachings in the Political Regime on Plato and Aristotle. This is indicated when Alfarabi traveled to Damascus to gain knowledge in philosophy. It is thought, nevertheless, that he never read Aristotle 's Politics, but Alfarabi is recognized as the "second teacher" after Aristotle. Aristotle and Alfarabi, thus, share several similarities in their instruction. Although Aristotle and Alfarabi both seek a source of ultimate good and unity in the purpose of their governments, the actual governing processes in their governments are built on a structure of hierarchy among members. Aristotle and Alfarabi

Alfarabi agrees with Aristotle, as Alfarabi believes that a government can have the power to let people achieve ultimate happiness. This process, however, can only occur if a government removes natural and voluntary evils, while retaining the natural and voluntary good actions. Alfarabi considers that when rulership in a government follows these processes, only then can people be virtuous, good, and happy. This concept marks the cornerstone of his idea of the virtuous nation or city, and this model contrasts with those cities who are filled with evil, such as the ignorant and errant cities. Alfarabi, however, does admit that there can be weeds in his ideal city, but he contests that a virtuous city represents the greatest purpose that a government can have. In the virtuous city, peoples ' souls become actual and perfect through study, as they discover true happiness. He acknowledges that happiness ties parts of the city to one another, and give it a sense of consonance. Aristotle also agrees with Alfarabi, as Aristotle states that government can provide unity to

Like a government 's purpose, a government 's rule is meant to uphold a proper conduct among its people. To Aristotle, a government is what determines is good or bad in a society. As religion was directly tied to government in Greece, morality was closely tied to ones ' civic life. He also determined that a government is supposed to regulate between just and unjust behaviors. While Aristotle does not define what is just or unjust in his Politics, he tells his readers that good will acts as the measure of what is just or superior. Since good works are directly tied to the purpose of government, one could define a government as being just in its abilities to govern its people. Aristotle uses the example of slave as a barbarian, since they are outside of what is considered good in a society. He considers that there is naturally a ruling and a ruled class in society. This helps to highlight hierarchy in a society, since slaves are ruled by a freed man, and freed men would be the individuals to participate in government. Alfarabi holds this same opinion, as he believes that a ruler in government has the right to set rankings among his people based on their good acts. Alfarabi considered political organization as part of a natural order in society. He also states that a ruler can apply this logic of ranking to objects and ideas. This would allow a ruler in a government