Justice Is Not Only A Good Thing - 2112 Words

In The Republic, the topic of justice dominates the conversation in Books 1 and 2. Socrates, Thrasymachus, Glaucon, and Adeimantus explore the definition of justice in the individual and state through a series of debates and discussions, with each of them arguing which is most advantageous, justice or injustice. For the majority of Books I and II Socrates defends his claim that justice is not only a good thing in and of itself, but also favorable for the state and individual for its consequences. Thrasymachus, Glaucon, and Adeimantus offer counterclaims to Socrates’ argument in order to elicit elaboration on the role of justice and its importance. While looking at each interlocutor’s arguments, one can see that they all are convincing, but with further analysis, each it flawed in proving whether justice or injustice is the most favorable. Based on the arguments proposed, I believe the views of injustice given by Thrasymachus, Glaucon, and Adeimantus benefit the individu al in attaining short-term, extrinsic benefits. However, Socrates’ view of justice, that justice is in fact more favorable and advantageous than injustice, benefits the individual in gaining long-term and intrinsic, more complex benefits. Thrasymachus argues that perfect injustice is more profitable than perfect justice, even going as far as saying â€Å"on a sufficient scale, justice is mightier, freerer, and more masterful than justice (344c).† In short, perfect injustice, especially on a large scale, will allowShow MoreRelatedPlatos Republic1243 Words   |  5 Pagesthe beautiful itself are followers of the sight of truth, the philosophers. Knowledge is based on what is, or truths. The only established truths are the forms. The forms represent true, eternal, unchanging, or facts. Knowledge stems from the idea of forms. One who has knowledge must understand the forms. Only a philosopher has this understanding, and therefore only a philosopher has knowledge. Contrary to knowledge, ignorance is based on what is not, or untruths. Opinion represents allRead MoreJustice Is Necessary For Society1327 Words   |  6 PagesFrom an early age, we are all taught to be good. More accurately, what we learn is justice, the defining difference between right and wrong. We grow to understand that justice is not just an idea or something we should do, but something that everyone in the world understands and subscribes to. However, at some point in our lives we often waver in how just we are, questioning if being just is really so important. In Book two of The Republic, Plato’s account of the conversation between Socrates andRead MoreIs Ross A Pluralistic View On Inherently Good Things And The Values Of Human Beings1284 Words   |  6 Pagespluralistic view on intrinsically good things compared to hedonists that have a monistic view on intrinsically good things (Skelton, 2010). Ross argues that there is not only one intrinsically good thing, but that there in fact are four intrinsically good things: virtue, pleasure, justice, and knowledge. There should be more than one intrinsically good thing because there can be exceptions to pleasure as the only intrinsically good thing, which is also why a prima facie good thing is an important aspect toRead MoreThe Republic By Plato982 Words   |  4 Pagesto the account of nature and origin of justice. Socrates and Glaucon discuss the theory presented by Glaucon that states that injustice is something that is intrinsically desired by all humans. Glaucon presents this argument to Socrates in order to understand and defend justice for its own sake. Glaucon seeks reassurance from Socrates that justice is not just only good for the positive consequences that it produces, so he asks Socrates to explain that justice is desirable for its own sake and, additionallyRead MoreThe Virtue Of Justice By Thomas Aquinas1489 Words   |  6 Pageslegal realm by connecting the ideas of virtue and justice in a resourceful way. This paper discusses the virtue of justice in general, according to St. Thomas Aquinas’ doctrine drawing mainly on the Summa Theologiae. To efficiently understand what the virtue of justice is, the first thing this paper will seek to explain is the core of virtue in general. Having defined virtue, it will proceed to explore the virtue of justice since a true justice commitment aligns itself with the necessary prerequisitesRead MoreThe Republic, By Plato1172 Words   |  5 Pageswhat â€Å"justice† really means. Socrates truly examines what he thinks the true value behind the word actually is. However, he isn’t alone other characters such as Cephalus, Thrasymachus, and Polemarchus all have something to contribute to the conversation. Socrates is the man who checks the truth behind each one, while Plato shares his thoughts on what Socrates believes is true. Truth in all the arguments and what each person brings to the table help t hem figure out what justice means. Justice in theRead MoreThe Ethical Egoist: Whats the Problem in Plato’s The Republic, Socrates824 Words   |  3 PagesIn Plato’s The Republic, Socrates tries to explain the value of justice to man. Other educated Athenians challenge him, however Socrates pokes holes in all of their statements. Socrates argues that there are many problems with their views on social philosophy, especially when it comes to Thrasymachus’ idea of ethical egoism. Plato delivers his view of justice through Socrates when he responds to Thrasymachus, Glaucon, and Cephalus on the issue. Throughout the discussion, Plato never argues againstRead More Model of Justice in Platos The Republic Essay1705 Words   |  7 PagesModel of Justice in Platos The Republic In what is perhaps his most well-known text, The Republic, Plato explores the fundamental concept of justice, how it is observed in the world, and its application to the lives of men. When he identifies the good in Book VI, which is reality and knowledge in their true forms, Plato also describes the visual world of shadows and false reality that people perceive and is cast by the sun. What follows from these definitions is that, while justiceRead MoreSocrates s Theory Of Justice1202 Words   |  5 Pageslike an answer regarding this type of justice, and if it is good only for its results or good in itself. Socrates argues that justice in the individual is the balance between sprit, reason, and desire (scc. 435a). Socrates’ account of justice, displays a life in which a justice provides benefits not only for the individual, but also society. In this case, Socrates account of justice, does not provide a sufficient reason to be just. Socrates parallel of justice an d health cannot answer Glaucon’s requestRead MoreThe Importance Of Justice In Platos Crito883 Words   |  4 Pagesreflects the development of justice that is first revealed in Plato’s Crito. In Crito, it is evident that justice was carried out in a different manner than in The Consolation of Philosophy as well as each individual’s experience. Boethius was a man who cherished material goods and lacked connection with whom to pray to, God, and defined justice through his own opinion. Socrates possessed the immaterial good of dedication to act in a morally correct manner and reach justice through abiding by the laws