Introduction:
- Thesis
- How are you going to reconstruct the text with respect to your thesis
First argument: (Might is right): Thrasymachus
- “Justice is the Advantage of the stronger,” Thrasymachus says.
- Survival of the fittest
- the idea that people who have power can do whatever they want
- what is Socrates response to that?
Second argument: (City argument): Thrasymachus
- Thrasymachus argument: Ruling group establish laws to their advantage and call it
“Justice”
- For example, a democracy sets down democratic law; A tyranny, tyrannic laws.
They then say that those laws are just for the ruled. Those who obey those laws are just,
while those who do not are punished for their unjust deeds.
- Socrates refutes: “for the stronger, and not of the stronger.”
Third argument: (Mistaken ruler argument): Socrates.
Rulers make mistakes.
But whatever the rulers set down must be done by those who are ruled, and this is just.
Socrates: then, according to your argument, it is just to do not only what is advantageous
for the stronger but also the opposite, what is disadvantageous.
Socrates: if rulers set down laws that are disadvantageous for themselves and the ruled
follow that, then justice would not be the advantage of the stronger.
Thrasymachus: It is what seems to the stronger to be the advantage of the stronger,
whether it is advantageous or not.
Precise sense Vs. common parlance
Rulers cannot do whatever they want. (because they make mistakes)
Fourth Argument (Ideal-doctor’s argument Money-Maker-Argument): Socrates
Induction
Premise 1: A doctor cares for the sick (the weaker)
Premise 2: A pilot cares for the passenger (the weaker)
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Premise 3: A pharmacist cares for the sick.
Premise 4: Business he cares for the needs of his customer.
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Conclusion: Each art cares for the advantage of the weaker
Deductive Argument
Premise 1: An art is only considered to be an art, if it enhances something that is bad.
Premise 2: A society gets enhanced by arts.
Premise 3: Weaker (not skilled people) benefit from a society that has arts.
Conclusion: That art is always for the advantage of the weaker.
cares for others;
Premise 1: An art is always for the advantage of somebody else.
the art cares of this deficiency, never for your own advantage)
- doctors and pilot’s examples. (it is the advantage of the weaker)
Conclusion: Ruler's always rule for the advantage of the weaker.
Fifth argument: (Sheep shepherd argument): Thrasymachus argument and Socrates response
Conclusion interpretation: What is Socrates idea of Justice?
Critique: What conclusion can you draw about justice based on your understanding. How would you criticize it? Is there something to amend? Are there implausibilities?
