The early developments in moral and political philosophy left a lasting effect through the history of those. For both moral and political philosophy it is both Plato and Aristotle that have been either the basis for, or the rejection of, most further developments. Importantly it is their contributions that have eventually led us to the current predominant philosophical thought.

Moral Philosophy

Plato established a set metric for morality, and good, through his use of the Forms (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 255). Importantly the form of "Good" was the highest form; the counterpart of this was evil and nonexistence (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 257). It was then through reason, and seeking knowledge of the form of Good, that served as the basis for his ethic (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 257). Aristotle took an alternative viewpoint and made an appeal to nature, and that good is following our natural objective (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 261). Aristotle reasoned that the natural objective for humans was happiness which can be achieved through enjoyment and enhancing the ability to reason (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 261).

Augustine and Aquinas expanded upon, and modified where necessary, Plato's and Aristotle's philosophies adding God as the focal point (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 267 & 273). Importantly both Augustine and Aquinas continued with a metaphysic for their philosophy. Hobbes extended upon Aristotle's naturalism though his materialism belief that only the physical exists, and thus morality flowed from this (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 274-275). Kant followed both Plato and Aristotle that reason played an integral role in philosophy (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 278). Nietzsche, and the other existentialist philosophers, rejected the previous metrics for moral philosophy and redefined things on an individualistic level (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 285-286).

Political Philosophy

Much like moral philosophy, political philosophy has at its root Plato and Aristotle. Plato's contribution was of the ideal political system of the philosopher-king and then the proceeding degenerating forms of government: timocracy, plutocracy, democracy, and finally tyranny (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 311). Aristotle, while not focusing on the ideal but on the practical, agreed that political systems eventually degenerate into improper control (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 312). He also said that the function of the state was to enables the citizens to achieve the good life for themselves (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 312).

Hobbs began, and then other such as Locke and Rousseau, subscribed to a social contract theory, and rights and powers are surrendered to a central authority to protect the individual (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 316). This was based heavily on Aristotle's ideal of the purpose of the government, and the social contract was the rationale for the need of a government. The concept of the social contract, especially the writing of Locke, played heavily into the establishment of the United States Constitution. Marx then diverged from the Plato and Locke tradition and proposed a system based an extensive egalitarian principles (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 338-339).

Conclusion

Plato's impact can most be seen in modern spirituality with its heavy dualistic focus. Otherwise there is very little resemblance to Plato and Aristotle in postmodern thought. Quite to the opposite of their beliefs there is a complete rejection of a fixed moral scheme. Even more so all things are individual and situationally defined.

Unlike moral philosophy, the United States is heavily influenced by the social contract scheme and thus the underlying Aristotelian thought. The "American Dream" is based on the concept of Aristotle's notion of being able to pursue the "good life." The United States manifestation diverges from Aristotle by being an egalitarian system.

References

Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. (2005). Philosophy: The power of ideas. New York: McGraw-Hill.