The Idea Of Justice In Plato's The Republic

Plato’s The Republic is filled with detailed arguments between Socrates and others who go back and forth explaining the idea of justice. Eventually Socrates turns these arguments into detailed examples such as the development of a city and the role of justice involved. To begin, in Book II, Glaucon explains his belief that people tend to act just for the rewards and do their best to only appear just. This is because to be just is to follow the laws and do good. Anyone who disobeys the laws is seen to be unjust. We know he believes the origin of justice began when men created laws to no longer suffer from injustice due to an unjust act. To abide by these laws, a person is seen to be just. Both a just and unjust person will abide by these laws …show more content…
Children grow up thinking that being better and having a good reputation are the most important things. They strive to do better and will do whatever it takes to do so. They begin to play the system and do injustice while appearing to be just. Glaucon concludes that it is better to be unjust and appear just because the person reeks the rewards of both a just and unjust life. Adeimantus then asks Socrates to explain why he believes the just life to be better than the unjust life. He asks not to involve reputations, but to explain to them why he believes justice is desirable and not only advantageous. This is where Socrates brings up the idea of a state or city. He wants everyone to picture justice in a bigger picture, in a city rather than an individual. If we look at a city forming, we would see justice forming along with injustice. Socrates believes a city forms because as individuals we are not self-sufficient. People begin to work together to help each other fulfil their needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. Socrates explains how a city forms due to the needs of the people in the