The republic of plato
The "Republic" of Plato in which he outlines his conception of the ideal human society analyses the meanings of "justice" and "partiality" and their place in governing a "city". Plato confronts concepts of the "Individual" against the "Community"; pragmatism against idealism and he even suggests principles of morality, logic and even metaphysic (when he talks about the "soul" being a decisive factor in deciding whether one was just or unjust) when trying to explain in the dialogue the true meaning of Justice.Plato was born in the Greek City State of Athens. For some times they had enjoyed great political, social, cultural development, but Plato grew up in times of great conflicts and eventually war and defeat. When Democracy was restored, great philosopher Socrates was accused of corrupting the minds of the youths and thrown in jail where he eventually died poisoned. It is then that Plato wrote his famous "Republic" which was like a quest for wisdom, but also a quest for an antidote to the delusions and madness of the society.
Trasymachus does not let go of the argument but comes back with another element to make his case. I personally had mixed feelings reading the "Republic". reat philosopher, Socrates and his friends. The democratic society lays down democratic rules and the tyrannic society lays down tyrannic laws and they believe that what they have set down which is their advantage is just for the ruled. Cephalus greets Socrates, they start a conversation and that initiate the debate or dialogue on justice which goes on till the end of the "Republic". Justice did not come across as being One and Universal but rather it seems that it could be interpreted differently depending on people and circumstances. That only further dismisses Trasymachus's argument that the just is the advantage of the stronger. The dialogue starts with Socrates walking along with Glaucon to attend the annual Festivals while they are met by Trasymachus who presses them to follow him to his house; there, they meet Cephalus, Trasymachus's father, Lysias, Euthydemus, Charmantides, Cleitophonm and Thrasymachus. The dialogue is very interesting especially passages (340b-353e) where Socrate's Idealism and Trasymachus's Pragmatism confront again. As interesting as it was, I had trouble understanding it at some points and sometimes, I felt like there were some contradictions as to who was just; sometimes I felt like justice was presented as being "subjective", rather than "objective". " Socrates also attempts to prove him wrong on this case. Having dismissed his opponent argument about what is just, Socrates goes on to elaborate on what he perceives to be just. Socrates crushes his argument by demonstrating that rulers can make mistakes when laying down laws and therefore, since the ruled ought to obey, it would mean that it is also just for them to do what is disadvantageous for the stronger (which contradicts Trasymachus point).
Common topics in this essay:
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Thrasymachus Cephalus,
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own advantage,
Cephalus Trasymachus's,
Justice Plato,
advantage stronger,
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philosopher socrates,
argument advantage,
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Acceptance Essays
