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Plato's theory of justice - Essay Example

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PLATO’S THEORY OF JUSTICE Name Professor Course Date Introduction Plato’s philosophy uses a famous area to emphasize on the issue of justice. Plato appeared discontented with the worsening condition of Athens. The democratic condition of Athens threatened to crash, which led to Socrates’ death eventually…
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Platos theory of justice
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At this point, Plato analyzed the different theories done by different philosophers and gave his own definition pertaining justice since he felt that justice needs a lot of interest and dedication. Plato defined justice from two main point of view: One being, justice from an individual point of view is that it is a ‘human virtue’ responsible for making someone self-reliable and of high quality1. Plato handles justice with seriousness, when he ends up using ‘Dikaisyne’, meaning justice, morality or even righteousness in Greek.

Morals mold the responsibilities of man, and the term monitors the whole behavior of man whenever another human being is concerned. Plato asserts that justice is the excellence of the soul, where man alienates unreasonable longing to explore on the pleasures of the world and satisfaction of self-interest pleasure from anything they handle and are comfortable with their way of life. Plato, Unhappy with the ongoing destruction of democracy in Athens, decided to write about it. He adopted Sophistic education of ethics which ended up with too much individualism stirring to attack the State Office selfishly up Athenians.

They ended up separating Athens into two antagonistic camps of the haves and the have-nots, tyrants and the exploited2. Later on, Plato felt that the nonprofessional ship, annoying nature and too much selfishness ought to be addressed. Plato addressed the matter by using a principled society with a perfect justice system to attack, since the research he had done showed that justice is the best medicine in an evil society. Hence, it is paramount that the society questions the shape of insinuated by Plato as an important principle of an organized society.

Notably, many philosophers have handled different justice theories were common. The answers to questions pertaining justice starts from the unsophisticated to the complicated elucidation. Therefore, it is paramount that the analysts ask why Plato disregarded some justice concepts3. Cephalus, a diplomat of traditional integrity of the early trading category, founded the traditional theory of justice. In his view, justice entails honesty and reassures payments of debts to the people one owes. This is the reason Cephalus equates justice with the right behavior.

Polemarchus supports Cephalus view concerning justice but alters some information. Polemarchus views justice as extending what one feel proper to one own self. This could be interpreted to mean that justice is pleasing friends while injuring the interests of enemies. The Greek traditional saying also adheres to the theory4. While Cephalus and Polemarchus to support the view, on the other hand, Plato is criticizing the view. According to Plato, Cephalus view was limited, as in a case where the formula infringes the will of right; his method does not accommodate proper acceptable opinion of life.

It is wrong to bring the deadly arms to a mad man. Polemarchus was criticized by Plato, arguing that it is easier said that done. For example, if one is a friend in an outward manner, and the enemy in truth. How wills one go about the problem? Is there a possibility to do him right as per the definition or act according to the real feelings and administer evil, yet this was contrary to moral requirements. The notion of justice only worked on the relationships between individuals and neglected the rest of society5 .

Thrasymachus, on the other han

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