Plato's Social/Political Philosophy from The Republic

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