O wise man, no matter how many times you try, you fall short of reaching the essence of justice. Your ignorance restrains you from seeing your virtues. If only you could remove your veil of ignorance, then you will come closer to true wisdom of Justice, but it seems that you are contented with the commodities of this world. Does this make you not wise, but a fool? Or is better to say that Justice is indefinable and unsolvable, and that is beyond human understanding? Plato and Socrates imparted their noble wisdom so that we were better off in life. If they would be still around, they would be disillusioned to see our state of deterioration. They endeavored us to be in harmony with our souls. Indeed, things, people, and ideas have changed, except
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This is vital in creating a successful society. In Plato’s Republic, Socrates, the wisest of all men, because he knows nothing, questions all men who thought to be wise. In his exploration, he encounters an unconscious society, oblivious to their surroundings, and that are governed by a false wisdom. This shows that knowledge gained through education will not always lead to righteousness, in fact, most of the time it will lead to tyranny and corruption. The elite groups are the ones who rule over the ordinary people. These rulers or guardians as Socrates calls them, have the responsibility to be Just and noble, instruct and look after the interest of the community. The problem is that wealth comes in the way, and the rulers are no longer capable of guiding righteously. Instead, they seek to become wealthier and powerful, and now a totalitarian government threatens the whole society. They were unyielding to the words of Socrates because their arrogance was much more pleasing. Why is then education vital as shown in the republic? Maybe, education is virtuous when is used selflessly, and beneficial when adopted by a …show more content…
According to Glaucon, another student of Socrates, we are not. “ No one is willingly just; men will be just only if constrained.” (P.56-d) Glaucon challenges the principles of Justice. His explanation of justice is powerful because it holds some truth. When we shun evil away is for the fear of punishment. When we help others is for a hope of a reward. Yet another argument is proposed by Thrasymachus, he states that, “justice is simply the interest of the stronger.” However, this is rapidly refuted and discredited by Socrates, because this principle makes Injustice superior to Justice; the stronger makes mistakes, and this deficiency makes it imperfect and ignorant. Thus this principle cannot be true because justice is superior in character and intelligence. When the stronger imposes self-interest, it is the duty of the people to overthrow the injustice. Glaucon’s powerful argument still stands and he extends his credibility when he mentions the myth of the ring of Gyges to illustrate his exact point. How visibility, a symbol of power, brings out one’s true intentions. In the story, Gyges, a shepherd boy, discovers a ring with invisibility powers, and not surprisingly he uses it for evil purposes. Still, Socrates holds on to the idea that we should pursue the intrinsic values, and that the best way to do so is by becoming
This is vital in creating a successful society. In Plato’s Republic, Socrates, the wisest of all men, because he knows nothing, questions all men who thought to be wise. In his exploration, he encounters an unconscious society, oblivious to their surroundings, and that are governed by a false wisdom. This shows that knowledge gained through education will not always lead to righteousness, in fact, most of the time it will lead to tyranny and corruption. The elite groups are the ones who rule over the ordinary people. These rulers or guardians as Socrates calls them, have the responsibility to be Just and noble, instruct and look after the interest of the community. The problem is that wealth comes in the way, and the rulers are no longer capable of guiding righteously. Instead, they seek to become wealthier and powerful, and now a totalitarian government threatens the whole society. They were unyielding to the words of Socrates because their arrogance was much more pleasing. Why is then education vital as shown in the republic? Maybe, education is virtuous when is used selflessly, and beneficial when adopted by a …show more content…
According to Glaucon, another student of Socrates, we are not. “ No one is willingly just; men will be just only if constrained.” (P.56-d) Glaucon challenges the principles of Justice. His explanation of justice is powerful because it holds some truth. When we shun evil away is for the fear of punishment. When we help others is for a hope of a reward. Yet another argument is proposed by Thrasymachus, he states that, “justice is simply the interest of the stronger.” However, this is rapidly refuted and discredited by Socrates, because this principle makes Injustice superior to Justice; the stronger makes mistakes, and this deficiency makes it imperfect and ignorant. Thus this principle cannot be true because justice is superior in character and intelligence. When the stronger imposes self-interest, it is the duty of the people to overthrow the injustice. Glaucon’s powerful argument still stands and he extends his credibility when he mentions the myth of the ring of Gyges to illustrate his exact point. How visibility, a symbol of power, brings out one’s true intentions. In the story, Gyges, a shepherd boy, discovers a ring with invisibility powers, and not surprisingly he uses it for evil purposes. Still, Socrates holds on to the idea that we should pursue the intrinsic values, and that the best way to do so is by becoming