How does Socrates describe the just man?

In Book Four Socrates says that the just person is wise and thus knows what is good for him, but he does not say anything about what knowledge or the good is. In Books Five through Seven he clearly addresses these issues and fills out his account of virtue.

How does Socrates respond to the claim that it is better to be unjust than just?

361b, 361e). In Book II, Glaucon and Adeimantus challenge Socrates to demonstrate that just life is better than the unjust life. Socrates agrees it appears absurd, but to make the truth as plain as possible, he says that they should not “grow weary” but continue their inquiry into the two lives (Republic IV. 445b).

What is Socrates answer to why be just?

Socrates’ answer is because the person’s soul is benefited from health and living well. Justice, in Socrates’ view then, is beneficial.

Why does Socrates say the pleasures of the soul are best?

If the philosopher is right, the pleasure one gets from having a just soul (i.e., a soul aiming at fulfilling reason’s desires) is the best kind of pleasure. Socrates argues that the pleasure of the philosopher is the only real pleasure. All other pleasures are actually relief from pain, not positive pleasure.

What is the point of glaucon’s making the unjust man seem thoroughly just and the just man seem thoroughly unjust?

No one can deny, Glaucon claims, that even the most just man would behave unjustly if he had this ring. He would indulge all of his materialistic, power-hungry, and erotically lustful urges. This tale proves that people are only just because they are afraid of punishment for injustice.

What was Socrates political philosophy?

Socrates’ political views, as represented in Plato’s dialogue “The Republic”, were strongly against the democracy that had so recently been restored in the Athens of his day, and indeed against any form of government that did not conform to his ideal of a perfect republic led by philosophers, who he claimed were the …

At what point do you think Socrates really starts to take control of the argument?

to look after the interests of their rulers rather than their own, even when these rulers mistakenly commanded them to do otherwise. definition of injustice as furthering one’s own advantage). such just disobedience and unjust obedience. know their own interests).

How does Socrates explain the difference between true and illusory pleasures?

Socrates’ third argument proves out by his making a distinction between pure (positive) pleasure and illusory pleasure (a kind of pleasure which is reliant upon an antecedent “pain”). And we must remember that the illusory pleasures are merely images; knowledge and its study are real.

What is glaucon’s point in telling the story?

Glaucon argued that by nature humans are selfish and unjust, and that justice is not good in itself; instead justice is a consequential good (it is only valued for the beneficial consequences). Glaucon told the story of The Ring of Gyges to illustrate his point that justice is always self-interested.

Why does Socrates believe that Cephalus view of justice is wrong?

In Book One of Plato’s The Republic, Socrates challenges Cephalus’ belief that justice is simply being honest and paying back the dues that one owes to the gods and to his fellow men. Since Cephalus is a religious patriarch, his idea of justice results from his fear of what…show more content…

What were Socrates’s last words?

I now quote my own translation of Plato’s Phaedo 117a–118a, which situates these last words of Socrates: “Go,” said he [= Socrates], “and do as I say.”

What does Socrates say about being just over being unjust?

Given this perspective, Socrates has to show that smartly pursuing one’s happiness favors being just (which requires always acting justly) over being unjust (which tolerates temptation to injustice and worse), apart from the consequences that attend to the appearance of being just or unjust.

How does Socrates defend himself against the charges brought against him?

Summary. Socrates reminds the court that they accuse him of corrupting the minds of the young and of believing in supernatural phenomena of his own invention rather than in the gods of the state. In order to defend himself against these charges, Socrates calls on Meletus, his principal accuser, and interrogates him in the familiar form…

How does Socrates compare humans to horses?

Socrates then draws an analogy with horses, saying that only horse- trainers, very specialized people, have a positive influence on horses, whereas most people would have a negative influence. Surely, Socrates suggests, if it takes such expertise to improve a horse, it would be odd to think that pretty much anyone can improve a person.