If Plato writes dialogues engaging the young at play, then Aristotle addresses sober gentlemen—those who exercise political power in deed. While the differences in rhetorical style are apparent, there may be a certain congruence between the two in their underlying understanding of political matters. Aristotle, rather than Plato, was the Greek authority for the Founding Fathers of the United States. And while “Aristotle’s charm is less provocative,” according to instructor Michael Ormond, he trusts it will “emerge upon a close reading of this text.”
