Justice In Book I Of The Republic Essay -- essays research papers

The Republic of Plato begins in a similar fashion that many other Platonic dialogues begin, with that of a question. The conversation between Socrates and the aged Cephalus becomes a philosophical discussion of what advantages money has brought to Cephalus life. Cephalus replies that money has allowed him "to tell the truth and pay ones debts" (331 b). Nevertheless, Socrates believes this does not portray an accurate description of what justice is. The rest of the basic book is a discussion of the definition of justice, mainly that of Thrasymachus definition. Socrates takes his normal role as an interrogator of peoples views. The conversation focuses on justice but actually mustiness be viewed in the context of how each individual can lead the best life possible.     Thrasymachus states that "justice is simply the interest of the stronger" (338 c). In order to incite this notion, he states that people who are in power in government make laws, a nd since these people design these laws, they will serve the interests of themselves. The laws will then be the justice of the subjects, and since the ruling class could be restated as the stronger class, then justice could be stated as being in the interests of the stronger class. He goes on gain ground to say that the unjust man is stronger than the just man is, and because of that, justice is a vice while injustice is a virtue. Thrasymachus uses the example of private business to destine how ...