Plato’s Republic, Book X
We’re now finishing our study of Plato’s Republic, one of the most influential books ever written about justice. In Book II, Glaucon had demanded that Socrates defend justice as good in itself, without any concern for the benefits that come from being just. Do you think Socrates has been successful in doing this? Secondly: what do you make of the “myth of Er” that Socrates closes with? How does that relate to the question of whether or not justice is good?
ANSWER
Plato’s Republic, Book
Praising Justice in Itself
Socrates has praised justice for itself but not pleasure, which is an excellent way of defending justice. According to Socrates, justice in itself is right without even considering the consequences and results. Socrates is right to prove that justice is a choice worthy for its own sake. Socrates has illustrated the benefits that justice has for itself and has ruled out the practical consequences of praising justice. Socrates has been successful in explaining how justice can be commended for itself through the city. Socrates praises the city as a healthy and true city founded to be wholly virtuous and good. Socrates uses the constructs of the just city to satisfy the needs of humans. Socrates has explained personal justice to bring about claims of how good or bad a city is organized to illustrate how justice is good in itself without any concern about benefits and consequences from being just.
The Myth of Er
The Myth of Er talks of Er, who was killed in a battle, and the afterlife myths. Socrates argued that the soul is judged afterlife and is either sent to the world below for punishment or to heaven to receive rewards. After judgement, the soul enjoys either torment or bliss for 1000 years, and after the period, they return to the place of judgment and offered an opportunity for a new life on earth. The Myth of Er has been used to explain how the choices of life influence the afterlife. For instance, those that pretend to be moral but false in their souls are punished in the next life. The Myth of Er has reflected on moral choices and their consequences.
Justice is Good
Justice is central in moral lives, which means justice is essential in everyday moral decisions. Justice enables individual good through moral choices. Justice makes an individual be self-consistent and good. Justice is useful since people with just souls will have better experiences in the afterlife, while the unjust will be punished in the next life.
