Book I – What is Justice: Thrasymachusvs. Socrates
Socrates’s Response to “Might Makes Right”the Pursuit of Power & Self Interest
Book I: Socrates uses the Socratic method to debatethe sophist Thrasymachus, on the question “What is Justice?”
The dialogue of Republic takes place in Cephalus’s house. In what context is the topic of justice first introduced in The Republic, as Socrates engages Cephalus? (p. 167).
What is Polemarchus’s definition of justice? (Polemarchus is Cephaus’s son)
Justice gives benefits to one’s friends & harm to one’s enemies
(p. 168, line 332 d) (Represents a conventionalAthenian viewof Justice at the time).
Socrates & Polemarchus work through this definition together, and end up declaring it unsatisfactory on p. 171, section 336 c.
Thrasymachus then “coiled himself up like a wild beast about to spring, and he hurled himself at us as if about to tear us to pieces.”
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Thrasymachus, 1st Definition of Justice: “Might Makes Right.” Justice is nothing more than the advantage of the stronger.
The stronger = The Regime or those who have power
Obeying or following those who have power (the Ruling Class), whether a tyrant or a benevolent ruler.
Justice in a tyranny is no worse than justice in a democracy. If a tyrant holds power, his laws are justified, according to Thrasymachus’s relativism.
Socrates & Plato are offended by this relativism. They want a more universal conception of justice.
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Socrates deploys the Elenchus (on p. 172 bottom right column – p. 173, left column). He methodically poses to Thrasymachus a few pointed questions to show that Thrasymachus’s definition is contradictory.
1. Socrates: Is it just to (always) obey the laws of the rulers?
2. Thrasymachus: Yes, since justice is that which is to the advantage of the stronger.
3. Socrates: Can rulers make mistakes?**
4. Thrasymachus: Yes**
5. Socrates: So some of the laws of the rulers are made correctly, and some incorrectly
6. Thrasymachus: “I suppose so”
7. Socrates: And any law is good if it prescribes to that which is in the advantage of the rulers?
8. Thrasymachus: Yes
9. Socrates: Whatever laws the rulers make must be obeyed by their subjects
10. Thrasymachus: Of course
Refutation:
11. Socrates: Then you are really saying that Justice requires you to do boththat which is in the advantage of the Rulers, as well as that which is in thedisadvantage of the Rulers. Since the Rulers will sometimes “unintentionally order laws that are bad for themselves.”
What steps does the success of the elenchus rely on? #3 & #4
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Socrates gives a provisional definition of Justice on p. 174 (line 342 d). How does Socrates describe or define justice on p. 174 (line 342 d), after he uses the elenchus to refute Thrasymachus’s first definition?
Thrasymachus sees that his 1st answer is incoherent or unsatisfactory. But he doesn’t like Socrates’ provisional answer. Thrasymachus responds to Socrates bygiving a second analysis of Justice (it’s not really a definition).
Thrasymachus asserts that the Good Life is best achieved through injustice and pure self-interest. This is the only way to get ahead & assure a better life. This is given on p. 175, bottom left column, in a rather long discourse by Thrasymachus (starts at 343b on p. 175).
This second definition represents the cynical view of power politics or realpolitik.
Note that Socrates has induced Thrasymachus to admit that mistakes are possible. If falsehoods do exist, this implies that knowledge – truth –something foundational -- does exist.
There are 2 dialogues at work here:
1. Socrates and Thrasymachus
2. Socrates, Thrasymachus, and the readers
The subtext of the second conversation:
Socrates/Plato holds to the notion that people thirst for knowledge
Socrates holds that the relativism of the Sophists blocks their quest for knowledge/wisdom
Thrasymachus is forced into a position of defining justice with reference to achieving power, rather than with respect to truth and wisdom
Socrates’s Implication: The adoption of a relativistic understanding of truth requires us to give up our pursuit of knowledge.
It appears thatThrasymachus recognizes that his chameleon-like definitions of justice are wanting.
Might Thrasymachus come to realize that he does not teach wisdom/virtue, but simply a means of acquiring & maintaining power?Might he realize thathis preoccupation with power cripples his ability to appreciate the importance ofknowledge & wisdom?
Thrasymachus is left in a state of cognitive dissonance at the end of Book I. He falls silent for the rest of the dialogue in Republic.
By the end of Book I, the major themes of the Republic have been introduced.
No answers or definitions have been given at all. Socrates wants to show Thrasymachus that he doesn’t know what he thinks he knows. He wants us to clear the preconceptions and clutter off of our decks in order to think clearly about the meaning of Justice.
I What is Justice or how can a person be ethically good?
II What is Justice in the state or polis?
III Why is just behavior an “intrinsic good” – that is, how can ethically good behavior or disposition positively influence the well-being & happiness of a person?
IV What is a just ruler and how is s/he formed