1. What is Justice?
Paying one's debts
too narrow;
exception
Giving everyone his due
vague
Benefiting friends; harming
enemies
If justice
is a virtue and a virtue is an excellence, and an excellence is good, how
can HARM be a good thing?
Whatever is in the interest
of the stronger
What is
the function of a thing? What is the object of an art? Can
the art of ruling have as its function (or object) the interest of the
artist, or must it be the improvement of the art or the improvement or
benefit of the subject of the art?
The function
of a political leader is to rule well.
2. Socrates' view of Justice
A harmony of the elements of the
state and the individual soul
Thrasymachus
and Glaucon have described justice such that it seems foreign and external
to the individual. Socrates' position is much more complete than
this....
Gyges' Ring
The Luxurious State - from the
basics to a completely functional social arrangement
Specialization is necessary:
Rulers
Wise (Wisdom) Rational
Philosopher Kings
Protectors
Courage (Bravery) Spirited
Auxiliaries
Producers
Temperance
Appetitive Artisans
When each group performs its appropriate function, when all "mind their own business," the state will function properly.
Now see the same distinction in the individual soul:
Rational
Element
Spirited Element
Appetitive Element
Wisdom
Courage
Temperance
JUSTICE is the result
These are the four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice