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 X

Praising Justice for Itself

Socrates has been known for praising justice for itself. This means that without paying attention to the results and consequences, justice in itself is good. Socrates has proven that justice is a worthy choice for its own sake and ruling out the practical implications of being just. According to Socrates, people work at that which naturally suits them but not for the sake of other things. Socrates has succeeded in explaining how justice can be commended for itself through the city. Socrates praised a just and healthy city founded on a good and virtuous way of life (Plato, 2002). The city’s constructs have explained how justice is present all by itself without any emphasis on the consequences or benefits of being just or living a just world.

The Myth of Er

The Myth of Er focuses on a man killed during a battle and the consequences of humanity in the afterlife. According to Er’s story, there exist judges that sit between earth and heaven to pass judgment where the just souls were headed to heaven while the unjust souls were led down into the world of unjust (Plato 2002). The Myth of Er has explained the afterlife where the just are reward and the wicked punished. Socrates argues that a just man is rewarded for their actions while the unjust will receive their appropriate punishment.

Justice is Good

With regards to the myth of Er, justice is good since the consequences of the afterlife depend on just or unjust life. The unjust are punished while the just are rewarded for justice. This means that justice is essential in making daily moral decisions. Justice allows individuals to do good and make moral choices. Justice enables the just souls to be good and consistent, thus better experiences in their afterlife. Justice pays attention to doing what is morally right, which makes it worthwhile in society.

References

Plato, E. G. (2002). The Republic: Plato. Volume 1, Books I–X.