Essay about Platos Concept of Democracy and Justice

Book one of Platos Republic examines the concept of democracy and justice. Thrasymachus, the Sophist declares that justice is the advantage of the stronger, whereas Socrates argues that justice is wisdom, something good and desirable. According to this in Athenian times, a democracy could not survive with out a system of justice in place. This still holds true in the contemporary Western world. Throughout the dialogue of book one, Socrates, Cephalus, Polemarchus and Thrasymachus are trying to reach a definition of justice. Cephalus defines justice as speaking the truth and paying whatever debts one has incurred From this, justice is nothing more then being honest and living up to your legal obligation. Socrates compares this with†¦show more content†¦The Athenian Democracy principle was majority rule. The assembly of all male citizens in Athens voted on decisions directly. The elected officials did not determine decisions. Few checks on or limits to the power of the assembly existed. Only adult male Athenian citizens had the right to vote in Athens, which excluded slave workers, women and resident foreigners. In addition, there were no lawyers and everyone had to argue their own case. All decisions were final, no appeals. The system of Justice in place in the Athenian Democracy was the masses opinion of what was just. Thrasymachus defines justice as nothing other than the advantage of the stronger. In the Athenian Democracy, this holds true; the opinion held by the majority of the assembly is just. Therefore, the majority will make laws that will give them an advantage over the minority. Socrates objection to the Athenian Democracy and Justice system was that justice is indeed wisdom and virtue. It will easily be shown to be stronger than injustice, since injustice is ignorance. The opinion of the masses does not reflect wisdom and virtue, rather popular opinion and ignorance. With this system in place many unjust law could pass and justice itself could be an injustice. Without a system of justice in place there could be a democracy; but there will be no way to enforce it. The democracy would depend onShow MoreRelatedSocrates : The Power Of Knowledge932 Words   |  4 Pagesdeath for his core philosophies, Plato was generally accepted by the public and was praised for his insight into the nature of man. Although they had many disagreements about politics and how justice should be applied in the state, they held more similarities than differences. These similarities include concepts of knowledge and how it is used in the physical world, the thought that the soul is what drives humans rather than the body, and beauty and excellence in man. One of the most blatant similaritiesRead MoreEssay on Platos Republic981 Words   |  4 PagesPlatos Republic Plato, one of the most ingenious and powerful thinkers in Western philosophy, born around 425 B.C. 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