Running head: PLATO VS.

KANT 1

Plato vs. Kant

Careea Nordè

Siena Heights University

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Plato vs. Kant

It was instructed to compare and contrast two theories of thought from the book “Ten

Theories of Human Nature” written by Leslie Stevenson and David L. Haberman. This was a

quite difficult task for me, because I enjoy philosophy so much and have incorporated many

ideas that these great minds have given us into my life. I have researched Confucianism,

Buddhism and am quite familiar with the teachings and ideas therein. I am also aware of Plato,

Aristotle, The Bible, Kant, and Marx. I was introduced to Upanishadic Hinduism and Sartre; and

broadened in Darwinism. However, I chose to expound upon the similarities and differences

between Plato and Kant. I chose Plato because he is known as the father of idealism and one of

the forefathers of philosophy; which is the love of wisdom. Whereas, Kant is known as the father

of modern moral philosophy; and also, his ideas and theories are thought-provoking and

complex.

In comparing and contrasting Plato and Kant, I find that they have many similar

viewpoints; yet they have totally different observations as well. The differences that they have

goes as follows: Plato did not believe in God, in the sense that God is in an omnipotent,

omniscient, transcendent being. His view of God is synonymous with the Forms of Goodness

within the universe; that is there are Forms of Goodness that are in an unseen world, where the

paradigm of goodness is complete; whereas Kant believed in God. Another difference is that

Plato believed that learning is a form of recollection; while Kant believed that there are three

different forms of knowledge. They are empirical (a posteriori), what is observed; analytical,

what is reasoned or logical; and synthetic (a priori), meaning that they cannot be proved. Kant

also believed that every event has a source and through every stage or phase, something is

preserved. In the basis of Plato’s view of God, I agree; I agree that God is the standard and
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reason within the universe. I also agree with Kant’s concept of the three types of knowledge. I do

not believe that all learning is a form of recollection, yet there are some things that I believe that

our souls recognize.

The similarities between the two great minds are quite numerous. Plato believed that

there are Forms that exist in an unchanging, unseen world; these Forms never change, they do

not perish, or come to an end. It is these ethical Forms that position definite principles for us.

While Kant believed that there is an unseen moral law or force that governs us. It is this moral

law or force that we must abide by no matter what the circumstance or situation; thus we ought

to do what is right, despite the outcome. When it comes to reason, they both have a systematic

view on it; that reason should interest those who are competent enough to execute logical

decision. They both also believed that things such as mathematics are what Kant calls a priori

and Plato states come from the soul having a previous history of them. I believe that God is, in

Plato’s terms, the Forms and in Kant’s terms that unseen moral law that governs us.

Although Plato and Kant ultimately came to have a completely different conclusion, they

had one similarity that continues to live on and challenge us even now; that is that they compel

us to think beyond what is seen and obvious. I am in complete agreement with both of these

amazing philosophers when it comes to reason and how those who are able to do so should strive

to increase in all that they can. The authors summarize Plato as stating “human knowledge is not

simply a matter of mere passive observation of things and events in the world around us…. Our

knowledge involves understanding, in that we actively interpret the stimulations we receive

through our sense organs, we apply concepts to organize and classify what we perceive, using

our mental powers as well as our sense organs” (p. 74).

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Not only did they question our thought processes, but they placed our beliefs under a

microscope. Even as they challenged those of their time, they continue to do so now. Those

reasons alone, clearly state why Plato and Kant are known as two of the greatest minds of all

time.