Socrates' refutation of Thrasymachus' theory of justice in Plato's Republic

¶ … Justice Given by the Character Thrasymachus in Plato's Republic Is Incorrect

The objective of this study is to prove that the theory of justice given by the character Thrasymachus in Plato's Republic, using only Plato's arguments in Books 1 and 2 is incorrect.

The theory of justice given by Thasymachus in Plato's Republic holds that justice "is another's good and the interest of the stronger, and that injustice is a man's own profit and interest, though injurious to the weaker." (Jowett, 2012) Book 2 relates that justice is "sometimes spoken of as the virtue of an individual and sometimes as the virtue of a State." (Jowett, 2012) Justice is related in Book 2 of Plato's work to be formulated in the mind of the individual through experiences and information gained in the society and educational institutions in the individual's life. Thrasymachus claims that justice is the advantage of the stronger individual over the weaker individual.

Three Arguments of Socrates

Socrates has three arguments that he uses against the claim of Thasymachus. First Socrates forces Thrasymachus to make the admission that the idea he supports is such that supports injustice and presents it as a virtue. From this view, life is held to be an ongoing competition in gaining more possessions, power, and money and the most successful in gaining these things is the one who possesses the most virtue. Socrates then analyzes the reasoning concluding that injustice is contrary to wisdom, which is most decidedly a virtue, and therefore cannot be held as virtue. Socrates then poses a new argument and holds that justice is related to adhering to certain rules that result in a group acting in unison. Finally, it is argued by Socrates that justice is a virtue possessed by the individual's soul.

Summary and Conclusion

It was the view of Thasymachus that justice was merely the advantage that the stronger held over those who are weaker. Indeed Plato acknowledges the human condition and how the human may fall into temptation to be unjust however, Plato notes that this characteristic of man is a weakness and does not inform one of what is truly meant by justice as justice is balanced and well-regulated, temperate and within the control of the individual who is characterized by the other virtues that comprise justice.