NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Justice is a word that can be defined in many different ways. Everyone has the right to define justice however they want because its' their opinion and everyone has the right to an opinion. One may think that justice is simple to define, but in reality, what is justice? As one may read, justice is "just" conduct or fair dealing.
It can also be defined as rightfulness, lawfulness, or "just" treatment. Well then, a judge must be just because he judges peoples behaviors and therefore he knows all. But there are different degrees of justice because everyone thinks that they are just. Plato wants to give the widest sense variety of detail and to avoid mere skeptical simplicity.
In The Republic, the people who speak with Socrates have the illusion that they can define these ideas simply. Justice is not as simple as following the laws of the land or obeying ones parents, it is complex. Glaucon and Adeimantus, in Book, two present their case of injustice and agree to look for justice in its greater extent, in a city and then in the individual. Socrates describes his perfect city as having very little in the ways of softness and wealth. The people live with what they have, avoid poverty and war, pray to the gods, and avoid friendships with one another. Glaucon wants a city with luxuries, not just essentials.
Everyone wants luxuries, but in a real city, there must be different classes and different levels of wealth. "Plato seems to reason and draws a strong parallel between justice in the human soul and in the state. The three elements in the soul, seen as separate forces, are paralleled by three corresponding functional groups within the state- or vice versa. " (Wachter, notes on Plato's Republic). The conversation of justice starts off with Socrates and Cephalus. Cephalus represents an old man.
Socrates asked him whether life was harder now or when he was younger. Cephalus thinks that life is easier when you are older. He thinks people may disagree with him but, in reality, when you are old, there is more freedom. Then again, Cephalus is an old man, but he is rich and comfortable. If a person is old, lonely, and poor, they will not be happy and therefore would probably wish they were younger.
For many people, being young is the best time of one's life, but for a few, like Cephalus, they prefer being old and free or work and school. He said that if you are rich, there is no need to deceive others and can afford to lead a life of justice. Cephalus gives the business definition of justice when he says that justice is truth telling and debt paying. The definition that Cephalus gives is not to the point and not exact. If one of your friends gives you his gun at a time when you need it, and then the same friend asks for the gun back when he is insane and about to kill himself (Wachter, lecture), do u give it back?
In this case, one will not and should not give the gun back to this friend for the obvious reason. For the truth telling aspect of this definition, one may have to lie to protect another. Ploemarchus is the next person that gives his definition of justice. He is the son of Cephalus. When he was asked this question, he states that justice is giving everyone his due, but what is owed. Friends should do good, not evil, to his friends.
Ploemarchus says that justice is useful in making contracts. Business does not involve justice, but it does involve skill. Different occupations involve a variety of skills. If there is a doctor and he is performing an operation on an enemy of his, should he try to help his "patient" or harm his enemy? Another way of going about this is that one should help friends and harm enemies. Ploemarchus gives a military definition of justice as opposed to his fathers' business definition.
Socrates disagrees with Ploemarchus' definition and simply says: how do u know that your friends are your friends and enemies are your enemies? He believes that you should not harm anyone. Bibliography:
Free research essays on topics related to: socrates, involve, enemies, cephalus, definition of justice
Research essay sample on Definition Of Justice Truth Telling Cephalus
