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Plato's Theory of Justice - The Republic- exam notes

 

Plato's Theory of Justice

 Plato's Methodology


  1. Concerning Justice - 
    • It follows the style of dialogue between Socrates and his pupils (Sophists).
    • Socrates compiles the answers of Sophist to his questions and demolishes them one by one. Ultimately, he offers his own answer. This embodies the Plato's theory of justice. 

    2. Dialectical Method - 

    • Introduced by Socrates himself.
    • It employs the technique of undertaking a thorough examination of though from different schools and bringing forth inconsistencies, contradictions and shortcomings with a view to arrive at a tenable (logical/rational) position.
    • Contradictory ideas clash they destroy each other's untenable parts and only truth is left behind. 
    • Clashes of 'thesis' (initial ideas) and 'antithesis' (opposite ideas) give birth to 'synthesis'.
    3. Analogies - 
    • It is the style of referring to simple and familiar things in order to explain the complex and unfamiliar things. 
    • Plato uses analogies of craftsman and physician in dealing with the problems of administration. He says, only trained person will serve our purpose, for instance, only a qualified physician, and not a most handsome or eloquent one, can treat our illness. 
    4. Teleological Method -
    • This method involves determining the nature of things with reference to the final cause or ultimate purpose for which they exist. 
    • Only by identifying and analyzing the psychology, capacity, field of interest and nature of man an 'ideal state' (Utopia or perfect society) can be created.
The Quest For Justice 

    Plato believes that human survival requires organization of a state or society because man cannot exist independently (Greeks did not distinguish between state and society). Along with survival, humans seek the means of good life, which in turn arises the requirement of justice in society or state.
    The quest for justice is reflected in the discussion between Socrates on the one side and Cephalus (a wealthy aristocrat), Glaucon, Adeimantus and Thrasymachus on the other side. Their discussion on what justice is are summarized as bellow - 
Socrates discards all and offers his own answer. He says - 
  1. Government is an art. Its prominent aim is the well-being of its clients (subjects), and not to earn profit for itself. He gives analogy of a physician. The true function of a physician is to cure a patient, and not to make money. 
  2. When weak majority suffers unduly, it enters into contract among itself not to harm one another. In this way, laws are born and justice is done to all in the society or state.
 Nature of justice 
     Justice is relation among individual in their respective states. According to Plato, nature of justice in society or state changes with the nature of its residents in the following ways - 
  • Communism - State with simple men requires communism form of govt. 
  • Aristocracy - State with the men who are acquisitive, ambitious, competitive and jealous requires aristocracy form of govt.
  • Democracy - Due to class division between rich and poor, there is class conflict between them. Rich class forms Plutocracy or Oligarchy form of govt. on the basis of their power of wealth. But, soon the poor class revolt against the rich and democracy replaces oligarchy. 
  • Tyranny - Those assuming power are soon trapped by hunger for money. Calling themselves the 'protector of the people' they rise to supreme power - tyranny of autocracy. 
  • Choosing the best ruler - Just like people choose meticulously there day to day needs, in they same way, they should elect the best and most qualified person as their ruler. Plato lament, unfortunately they are misled by demagogues. 
  • Different duties for different classes of citizens. Plato suggests that -
    • people with desiring, acquisitive, and restless traits are fit for trade and industry.
    • people with emotion and spirit are fit to work as solders.
    • people with knowledge and learning are fit for ruling the society.
  • Four cardinal virtues of justice - 
    • Temperance - befitting the traders class
    • Courage - befitting the soldiers class
    • Wisdom - befitting the philosopher class
    • Justice - befitting the state or whole social order.
True justice is arrived at only when these four virtues work in harmony with each other. Plato's theory of justice has been described as Architectonic Theory of Justice. Giving an analogy of a building Plato says that different parts of a building are designed differently by different artisans, but an architect combine them so nicely that these parts strengthen one another and give a look of a grandeur building together. in the same way, different cardinal virtues are held by different people but they are combined by Justice. 
The Pala Dynasty (750 AD – 1150 AD)

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