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[Plato Theory of Justice, Basic Idea,

Definition & Critical Analysis
3-4 minutes

Introduction Plato Theory of Justice

The sub-title of the "Republic" shows the extra-ordinary importance; which Plato attached to
justice. Plato wanted to bring to an end the prevailing degenerate conditions and political
selfishness rampant in Athens, in order to save his beloved Athens from decay and ruin. He
saw in justice the only panacea of saying Athens from degradation and decay and propounded
his theory of justice.

Plato Definition of Justice

The fundamental issue raised by Plato in his book "The Republic" is the definition of justice.
To understand the Plato Theory of Justice is essential to mention definitions of justice given
by some early Sophists, which Plato narrated in his Republic.

The Theory of Cephalous (Traditionalism)

Polemarchus supports this Cephalous definition of justice by saying that justice means
helping one's friends and harming one's enemies. Plato rejects their definitions. Similarly it is
difficult to distinguish ones true friends from enemies because appearances are often
deceptive and it is immoral and injustice to harm someone without proper inquiry.

The Theory of Thrasymachus (Radicalism)

Thrasymachus regards justice as the interests or the sovereign. Plato rejects on the basis that
it leads to "Might is Right which can be applied only in the forests and not in a human
society.

The Theory of Glaucon (Pragmatism)

He says that justice is artificial and conventional. It is the child of fear. He says that it is good
to be unjust but bad to suffer injustice. Plato also rejects this definition of justice been tune,
according to Plato, justice is something internal. It relates to the soul and resides in the heart
of individual and the State. According to Plato, there are three faculties in an individual.

1. Reason (Wisdom)
2. Courage (Spirit)
3. Appetite (Desire)
The proper inter-relationship of these faculties in the individual is justice. Justice further
demands that the two faculties of courage and appetite must be under the direction and
guidance of the faculty of reason.

To Plato, State is a magnified individual. Reason in individual represents the guardian class in
the ideal state. Courage represents the warriors and the Appetite represents the Artisans in the
state. Now justice in the State means that there should be three classes in the State on
functional basis. There should be proper relationship among them. They should perform their
allotted duties and not to interfere in the affairs of one another and the warriors and Artisans
should be under the control of the guardians. Justice thus means, "The will to concentrate on
one's own spheres of duty and not to middle with the spheres of others".

Critical Analysis of Plato Theory of Justice

1. It lays great stress on duties and has no regard for rights.
2. It divides the society into three classes, which is impossible now.
3. Plato's unity through uniformity is not stable.
4. It is rigid as it is based on functional specialization and "one man one work"
throughout life.
5. It stands for non-interference but it is impossible for a ruler not to interfere in the
affairs of the subject.
6. Plato's Justice with Communism of property and wives ignores the fundamental
human psychology.