PHI 1301 Lecture 4

« previous | Friday, September 6, 2019 | next »

Transitions

End of Book 1

Socrates has been "a glutton" by not fully investigating a thought, but switching topics at every chance

Not enjoying/savoring each idea

Never actually answered the original question posed: "what is justice?"

Start of Book 2

Glaucon and Adeimantus aren't satisfied

They reset the question: "what kind of 'goods' are there? And what kind of good is justice"

Kinds of "Goodness"

1. For its own sake and for its consequences (e.g., knowing)
   • Socrates places justice here.
2. For its own sake regardless of the outcome (e.g., joy)
3. Onerous, but good consequences (e.g., medicine)
   • "Most people" (according to Glaucon) place justice here.

Socrates and "most people" agree that justice has good consequences, but what remains to be shown is that justice is good for its own sake.

Glaucon's Argument

Assume "most people" are right.

1. Origin of Justice
   • People would rather act unjustly since it is more profitable
   • People also don't want to suffer the consequences
   • Alliances and laws are formed out of mutual respect for each other
   • Adherence to alliance/law is considered just
2. Most people practice justice unwillingly
   • People lack the power to commit injustice and get away with it
3. People have a good reason to do so / it is right that they do so