Thrasymachus Definition Of Justice In Plato's Republic

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In the Republic many definitions of justice are presented to Socrates, and in his usual fashion, he questions until the person either leaves or contradicts themselves. One view of justice that is significant to the plot of the Republic is Thrasymachus’ definition of justice. When asked, Thrasymachus responds with the definition that justice is the advantage of the stronger. He furthers his definition by saying that a ruler unerringly decrees what is best for himself, and as law the subject is obliged to obey. Under his definition, the rulers rule as they please and the people must follow the rules, even if it harms them in some way.
Further, Thrasymachus proposes that injustice is better than justice. Under his definition of justice, the people that are not rulers suffer because their needs are not being recognized. Justice is harmful to those who obey and serve because under his definition “A just man always gets less than an unjust one.”(343 d). Furthermore, under this definition, “… injustice, if it is on a large enough scale, is …show more content…
While a little too long winded for my tastes, just one students humble opinion, Socrates makes a case that injustice is not better than justice. In a just society, according to Socrates, everyone works together to establish an efficient and thriving city. Intra-person, the soul also works together in harmony to create the just soul. I believe that his response is successful because he shows that even under his analogy of the perfect city, injustice would be justice. The soul must work in harmony for all citizens to establish justice, and therefore under this equilibrium injustice has no place to thrive. Socrates is successful in his response in his answer to Thrasymachus because he ultimately proves his definition inaccurate through the explanation of the city-soul

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