By Elizabeth Jackson
The Republic, by Plato discusses justice by through dialogue with his
teacher. The book aims to answer to questions: What is justice, and
why should we be just?
Figure 1
So what is justice?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, justice is
defined as the quality of being just, impartial, or fair.
The book opens with Socrates traveling home from a religious festival with
Glaucon who is one of Plato’s brothers. On the road they are met by another
one of Plato’s brothers and Polemarchus who is a young nobleman.
Polemarchus invites Socrates and his travel mates to his house. At the house,
Polemarchus’ father, Cephalus, engages Socrates in a discussion about old age
and its merits. This is where the discussion of justice begins.
“Justice means minding one’s own business and not
meddling with other men’s concerns.”
-Plato
Figure 2
Cephalus defines justice as living up and owning each individual’s legal
obligation along with being honest.
Polemarchus defines justice as owing help to friends and owing harm to enemies.
Figure 4
Thrasymachus defines justice as the advantage of the stronger.
Socrates begins to define justice as the ability to abide by the rules of society.
What is the importance of justice especially with regard to those in
leadership positions?
References
Hülsmann , Jorg. How Society Works: Plato's Contribution. N.d. Photograph. Ludwig
von Mises InstituteWeb. 19 Apr 2013.
Merriam Webster, . N.p.. Web. 17 Apr 2013.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justice
Zucker, S., & Harris , B. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/school-of-athens.html