needs of society. A large part
             of The Republic is devoted to a detailed presentation of the rigorous
             intellectual training of future rulers. This section also contains an
             analysis of metaphysical and scientific thought where Socrates concentrates
             on the method in which the government of the state acts to enforce the
             virtue, and consequently the true happiness, of the individual citizen, and
             an orderly and productive public life is the result. The Republic
             criticizes the doctrines of atheism and greediness and continues to
             reaffirm an idealistic position while also asserting a belief in the
             morality of the government within the creation and the immortality of the
             The Republic focuses upon Socrates' quest for a precise definition of
             justice. While Thrasymachus appears to have something more important to
             say, he values his presentation of information the shift prompts Socrates
             to turn to his young friend, Glaucon, and begin to ask questions. While
             the first question is quite simple, the second question is by no means
             superfluous. Socrates apparently anticipates Glaucon's preference might
             rest upon something other than the better argument. Certainly it is not so
             much dear thinking as native breeding that Socrates credits when he praises
             Glaucon's inclination toward justice.
             Socrates' teachings emphasized that no harm or evil would come to a
             "good" person and that all people were basically
             ...