Thrasymachus View of Justice essays

Thrasymachus View of Justice essays One of the foundations of our society is the presence and function of justice. It is a subject often taken for granted without much thought. What is justice? According to Thrasymachus a main character in the book The Republic justice or right is simply what is in the interest of the stronger party (338c). As stated, Thrasymachus argument consists of three parts which he attempts to explain and defend to all in attendance, including Socrates. Thrasymachus begins his argument by defining justice, he then defines the role of a ruler by likening him to a craftsman, and finally, he attempts to identify the disadvantages that come with a man being just versus being unjust. The first part of this outline will summarize Thrasymachus argument as to what justice is, and the second part will assess the validity of his arguments. In the first part of Book 1 of The Republic, Socrates questions conventional morality and attempts to define justice as a way for the just man to harm the unjust man (335d) ; however, Thrasymachus fully rejects this claim, and remarks that man will only do what is in his best interest, since human nature is, and should be ruled by self-interest, and he furthers this argument by implying that morality, and thus justice, is not what Socrates had suggested, but rather that it is simply a code of behaviour exacted on man by his ruler. Thrasymachus begins his argument by giving his definition of justice. He says that justice, or right is simply what is in the best interest of the stronger (338c). When questioned by Socrates on this point, he explains that each type of government (the stronger party) enacts types of justice that are in its own best interest, and expect full compliance from their subjects (the weaker party) because if the subjects were to not comply, they would be breaking the law, and would be punished. Those in attendance begin to question if, accor...