Justice And Injustice In Plato's The Republic

Justice is an asset man people throughout history have wielded and cherished, but has it always been correctly understood. The question of ‘What is justice’ is one that causes people to challenge their beliefs and their knowledge. In The Republic, by Plato, Socrates questions many things, including the possible definition of justice. Another character named Thrasymachus joins the conversation to present a different view of justice from the one Socrates is contemplating. The main focus of these two character’s discussion is to answer the question of who justice genuinely benefits, and to define the relationship between justice and injustice. Thrasymachus clearly states his opinion of who justice supports when he says “justice is…the advantage …show more content…
Thrasymachus also states that people as a whole fit into two character groups, followers and leaders. He clearly points out that the ‘shepherds’ do not worry about the emotions of the ‘sheep’, and restates that justice is the advantage of the stronger, while injustice or unjust action are those that benefit oneself1. Thrasymachus is also becoming full of himself throughout the conversation, especially after his speech where he makes his main points. Socrates calmly argues that justice is more advantageous for one’s life, and he does so by referencing the craftsman again. Socrates claims that a person who practiced a craft properly and is exceptional at their craft, they are being just and virtuous, and thus deserve more recognition than that of a person of lesser talent; Socrates is trying to explain to Thrasymachus that justice cannot simply be about the strength of a person. Socrates used this line of thinking to explain how being just and virtuous is more beneficial to one’s life, as unjust and unvirtuous does not carry the respect of a person’s peers. Furthermore, considering that justice and virtuous people are held to a higher regard than those who are not just and virtuous, and that people in general do not wish to be in positions of power, Socrates is effectively saying that the just man will better prosper in life, as ‘ he is good and wise’1. As a result of Socrates being able to reject and disprove Thrasymachus’ beliefs about justice, Thrasymachus has continuously grown angry and frustrated, however after Socrates causes him to agree that the just man is wise and good, Thrasymachus blushes. The abrasive nature of Thrasymachus is conspicuous, and now that he is blushing out of embarrassment shows