In Republic, Plato sets up a dialogue between Glaucon and Socrates wherein Glaucon seeks an argument in favor of justice by hypothetically arguing against it. One main point of Glaucon’s argument against justice is that men are naturally unjust. Glaucon’s evidence for his position lies in a thought experiment he presents, which relies on understanding his definitions of justice and naturally unjust.
Glaucon begins his argument by stating, “those who practice justice do so involuntarily and because they have not the power to be unjust,” (359e). In this, he claims that men are naturally unjust. That is, left to their own devices without a ruling power or social obligation, men are not inclined to do justice. Glaucon further illustrates this point through a thought experiment.
Glaucon prefaces his thought experiment with the story of Gyges, who finds a magical ring which allows him to be invisible. This invisibility allows Gyges to act without consequence; he can be neither caught doing a crime nor judged by his peers. With this freedom Gyges “seduced the Queen, and with her help conspired against the King and killed him and took the kingdom,” (360a). Glaucon uses the aforementioned ring of invisibility to set up his thought experiment.
Glaucon supposes that each of two men are …show more content…
In his argument, the meanings of just and unjust are never discussed. It is to be understood that Glaucon refers to justice not in absolutes, but on a continuum. Though he argues that men will do the unjust thing were consequences eliminated, he does not insinuate that all people would murder someone given the opportunity. Glaucon states, “anyone obtaining this power of becoming invisible, and never doing any wrong or touching what was another’s…” (360d). He never claims that each person would commit the most extreme injustice, but that people would be less just than if they were under scrutiny or threat of
Glaucon begins his argument by stating, “those who practice justice do so involuntarily and because they have not the power to be unjust,” (359e). In this, he claims that men are naturally unjust. That is, left to their own devices without a ruling power or social obligation, men are not inclined to do justice. Glaucon further illustrates this point through a thought experiment.
Glaucon prefaces his thought experiment with the story of Gyges, who finds a magical ring which allows him to be invisible. This invisibility allows Gyges to act without consequence; he can be neither caught doing a crime nor judged by his peers. With this freedom Gyges “seduced the Queen, and with her help conspired against the King and killed him and took the kingdom,” (360a). Glaucon uses the aforementioned ring of invisibility to set up his thought experiment.
Glaucon supposes that each of two men are …show more content…
In his argument, the meanings of just and unjust are never discussed. It is to be understood that Glaucon refers to justice not in absolutes, but on a continuum. Though he argues that men will do the unjust thing were consequences eliminated, he does not insinuate that all people would murder someone given the opportunity. Glaucon states, “anyone obtaining this power of becoming invisible, and never doing any wrong or touching what was another’s…” (360d). He never claims that each person would commit the most extreme injustice, but that people would be less just than if they were under scrutiny or threat of