Plato’s Republic - The Ideal State
Plato uses a unique technique to write. He makes free with Socrates’ name and employs him as the spokesman for his ideas and conveys those ideas in the form of dialogues. Despite his use of Socrates, the ideas are generally considered to be his own. We will focus more on the political side of the discussion in the Republic.
Attempting to define Justice
Plato starts off with a discussion about justice. When Socrates wants to know what justice is, Cephalus and Polemarchus offer their definitions. These definitions do not stand a chance against Socrates’ reasoning abilities. Thrasymachus speaks next, and he rejects the first two definitions as well. He considers justice the prerogative of those in power, as it is they who decide what is right and wrong and the weak have no choice but to agree. Socrates disagrees and argues that if, for example, the ruling elite legislate to its own detriment then the public would have to do the impossible, that is, doing what the law says and doing what is in the best interests of the rulers, at one and the same time.
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