In Plato’s The Republic Plato sets out to come up with a definition of justice that appeals to human psychology rather than perceived behavior. He talks about a couple different kinds of justice. One is political justice, which he defines as harmony in a structured political body. To him an ideal society consists of three classes- the lower class, the warriors and the rulers. A society is just when the relations between these classes is just right. Each class must perform only their function and be in the right position of power in relation to the others. What he is saying is that each person must fulfill their societal roles and not try to wander from those roles.
For example, in his view, the ruling class would be composed of philosophers, …show more content…
In his work Two Treatises of Government, he explains that humans did live in a state of nature, but it was a state of liberty where people are free to pursue their own interests without the interference of others. In this state, all people are equal and independent, but are still bound by the laws of nature, so they can’t just do whatever they want. In other words, it’s not a state without morality although there is no governmental authority to punish people for their transgressions. Locke’s main problem with Hobbes’ social contract theory was that it didn’t secure property rights. Property plays an essential role in Locke’s social contract theory. To him, there is no justice if people don’t have property rights. In the state of nature, property rights are insecure because there is no established law. In Locke’s social contract theory, people give up power to protect themselves and punish transgressors, but they gain laws, judges to adjudicate those laws, and executive power necessary to enforce those laws. The essence of his idea of justice is that the security of every person’s personal possessions are a right based on the laws of
For example, in his view, the ruling class would be composed of philosophers, …show more content…
In his work Two Treatises of Government, he explains that humans did live in a state of nature, but it was a state of liberty where people are free to pursue their own interests without the interference of others. In this state, all people are equal and independent, but are still bound by the laws of nature, so they can’t just do whatever they want. In other words, it’s not a state without morality although there is no governmental authority to punish people for their transgressions. Locke’s main problem with Hobbes’ social contract theory was that it didn’t secure property rights. Property plays an essential role in Locke’s social contract theory. To him, there is no justice if people don’t have property rights. In the state of nature, property rights are insecure because there is no established law. In Locke’s social contract theory, people give up power to protect themselves and punish transgressors, but they gain laws, judges to adjudicate those laws, and executive power necessary to enforce those laws. The essence of his idea of justice is that the security of every person’s personal possessions are a right based on the laws of