Why follow the rules? Why not get what you want when you want it however you can get it? The mere function of today’s world is based on the elite necessity to have every citizen obey their laws. In addition, people never stop to ask themselves, “Why is there a pressing validity in the action of obeying wholesome rules, and how does this benefit me personally”? Thrasymachus addresses the underlining importance behind morality and the misleading advantages that follow with being virtuous. In a society built on making the elite happy, Thrasymachus proclaims that injustice defines the advantage of the powerful. By suppressing the weak, the elites are able to do as they please while others follow the rules. Following the selfish desires of one’s
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Generally speaking, just behavior is courageous, however Thrasymachus finds that just behavior will leave one with no happiness or leverage to more power. While these factors of justice all make sense, Thrasymachus theory of happiness in terms of just and unjust behavior is unreasonable. “Injustice… it rules the true simple and just, and those it rules do what is to the advantage of the other and stronger, and they make the one they serve happy, but themselves not at all”, said Thrasymachus (Book I 359-362). Claiming that the unjust are the unhappiest is not only a far-reaching statement, but there is no way of proving this claim. There are many factors that go into measuring one’s happiness, like environmental influences, social life, and internal sense of self. While a truly unjust man may have all the money, cars, and fancy clothes, he may feel hollow inside from the lack of emotional depth in his life. Furthermore, a person of wholesome just action and abides by the most strict life, one may find joy in serving those one is loyal to. There are effective examples to expose the mere selfish desires of the powerful and defining what it means to be a just and an unjust person, however happiness is not something one individual can measure or prove there or lack
Generally speaking, just behavior is courageous, however Thrasymachus finds that just behavior will leave one with no happiness or leverage to more power. While these factors of justice all make sense, Thrasymachus theory of happiness in terms of just and unjust behavior is unreasonable. “Injustice… it rules the true simple and just, and those it rules do what is to the advantage of the other and stronger, and they make the one they serve happy, but themselves not at all”, said Thrasymachus (Book I 359-362). Claiming that the unjust are the unhappiest is not only a far-reaching statement, but there is no way of proving this claim. There are many factors that go into measuring one’s happiness, like environmental influences, social life, and internal sense of self. While a truly unjust man may have all the money, cars, and fancy clothes, he may feel hollow inside from the lack of emotional depth in his life. Furthermore, a person of wholesome just action and abides by the most strict life, one may find joy in serving those one is loyal to. There are effective examples to expose the mere selfish desires of the powerful and defining what it means to be a just and an unjust person, however happiness is not something one individual can measure or prove there or lack