THE NOTION OF VIRTUE IN THE ETHICAL VIEWS OF PLATO AND ARISTOTLE:
             Plato and Aristotle, two philosophers in the 4th century, hold polar views on having a
             happy life and philosopy in general. This fact is very cleverly illustrated by Raphael's "School of
             Athens", where Plato is portrayed looking up to the higher forms; and Aristotle is pointing down
             because he supports the natural sciences.
             Firstly, Plato's concept of reality contrasts with Aristotle's concept. Plato's theory of 'ideal
             forms' claims that a perfect world exists beyond the world around us. Our world contains forms
             imperfectly copied from the ideal forms in the world beyond. According to Plato, most people cannot
             see the ideal forms; they only see their representation or their shadows-stating that: "We cannot gain
             knowledge of things through our senses because the objects of sense perception are fleeting and
             constantly changing.". According to Plato, the most important idea is the 'idea of good.' Knowledge
             of good is the object of all inquiry, a goal to which all other things are subordinate. Therefore only
             those who love knowledge and contemplate on the reality of things will achieve understanding of the
             forms. In contrast, Aristotle's theory of the natural world states that our world is reality. Aristotle
             thought this world consists of natural forms, not necessarily ideal or imperfect; and our senses can
             correctly perceive the natural forms.
             Therefore according to Plato, philosophers who by definition are knowledge lovers, are the
             only beings who can reach true knowledge. However, he believed people who have attained this state
             must return to the world of everyday life and use their skills and knowledge to serve humanity. Plato
             argued that it is worse to commit an injustice than to suffer one since immoral behaviour is the
             Plato further claimed that 'happine...