Thrasymachus Vs Plato

488 Words2 Pages
In Plato’s Republic, Book 1, Thrasymachus has a conversation with Socrates [messenger for Plato’s views] in which they try to define justice. Thrasymachus is frustrated with Socrates because he does not give his own definition, but instead pokes holes in other people’s theories about justice. Both Thrasymachus and Socrates [messenger for Plato’s views] offer different definitions of justice, although Socrates’ definition is not explicitly stated. Thrasymachus’ view of justice differs from Plato’s, but is important to consider his beliefs to understand Plato’s overall argument about justice. In this paper, I will examine Thrasymachus’ argument and examine its significance in regard to Plato’s overall beliefs about justice. Thrasymachus argues that justice is the advantage or interest of the stronger. Thrasymachus’…show more content…
He thinks that injustice is a “stronger, freer, and more lordly thing than justice.” (p.44) To support his claim that justice is the interest of the stronger, Thrasymachus argues that each body of authority makes laws that fit its best interests, thus these laws put the body of authority on the side of justice. Thrasymachus’ argument is shattered when Socrates asks if human beings always know what is in their best interests. In other words, if a child decides to eat chocolate three times a day, is the child’s decision made keeping his best interests in mind? Thrasymachus backs up the remainder of his argument by bringing up the consequences of a just and unjust man entering a partnership. He says that if a just man pays more property tax than the unjust man, the former will receive nothing, whereas the latter will make tremendous gains. (pg. 43) From my
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