Introduction

The dissatisfaction of Plato by the democratic degeneration in Athens prompted him to develop his notion of justice. Plato claimed that the death of Socrates was an attribute of the degenerated democracy of Athens. Plato’s notion of justice differed completely with those of Thrasymachus, Cephalus and Glaucon among others. Plato views justice as a human virtue that fosters individual’s consistency and good-will. Thrasymachus notion of justice is embedded in the concept of the survival of the fittest. Moral code refers to the moral rules that are accepted by the society. Moral codes should embrace formality and consistency in order to serve their purpose. The ability to uphold moral codes of the society has profound effects on the levels of societal integration.

The paper will examine the Plato’s notion of justice and later distinguish it with that of Thrasymachus. The conflict that exists with regard to the two approaches will be highlighted, and the subsequent conclusions are made. Further on, the paper will examine the reasons as to why people should embrace the moral codes and the significance of the same. Despite the previous explanations of justice, Plato’s notion stands out.

Plato’s Notion of Justice

The existence of various injustices in Athens sparked various definitions and approaches to justice. Plato is one of the personalities who were completely dissatisfied with the degeneration of the democratic conditions in Athens. As a result, he developed a new notion of justice that was completely different from other personalities such as Cephalus and Thrasymachus (Hall, 2004). His notion was centre-staged on the concept of human virtue. Plato claimed that the human virtue fosters sociological consciousness and subsequently a harmonious society hence a source of happiness (Irwin, 1995). According to Plato, justice should be incorporated in the concept of specialization in order to be fruitful. Plato’s notion of justice was contrary to the previous explanations that brought about dissatisfaction, selfishness and ultimately the death of Socrates. The previous attributes of justice were also oppressive and unfulfilling antics by the society members. To bring about his notion, Plato attacked two major oppressive antics of excessive individualism and amateur meddlesomeness. Plato’s notion of justice is embedded in the aspect of a person fulfilling his societal obligations and further giving back to it. The mutualistic relationship between the society and individual will help to shun the evils and other vices that were previously evident in the society.

Conflict with Thrasymachus

Plato’s notion of justice greatly contrasts with the Thrasymachus’s. Each of the two notions has various characteristics in relation to the entire society or individual. The conflict between the two methods is centered on the view that each possess on the individual and the society. Thrasymachus’s notion of justice is based on the concept of survival of the fittest. The theory further goes into emphasize on the notion that the stronger people in the society should overpower the weak. On the contrary, Plato emphasizes the need for overall fairness in the society and mutualism between the society and the individual. Thrasymachus further claims that the unjust are blessed more than the just while Plato ascertains that the morally upright and just individuals would ultimately prevail in the society (Dorter, 2006). Thrasymachus believes that if people are given power to carry out unjust acts, they will continue to do so. Additionally, he claims that there is no evil in claiming power as far as there is an absence of legal punishment. Plato’s views on these attributes are completely different. Plato claims that the acts of tyrants would land them in unending pain and that people will do what is morally sound in the society (Santas, 2001). Thrasymachus’s notion is inclined on individual prosperity and well-being while Plato’s is based on overall prosperity and well-being of the entire society.

Living by Moral Code

Moral codes are the accepted societal principles that are upheld by each and every member of the society. The respect of such codes of behavior will increase the levels of togetherness amongst the people. These moral rules enable people to distinguish between the right and the wrong (Ladd, 2004). Therefore, it is paramount to live by moral codes owing to the various merits that accrued on it. Living by the moral code would foster mutualism between the individual and the society. This comes about as a result of the continued levels of agreements between the two parties. Additionally, integration of people in the society will be fostered by the virtue of living by moral codes. Other merits accrued to integration will be enjoyed too.

Conclusion

Plato’s notion of justice was triggered by the existence of various negative democratic practices that took place in Athens. Plato emphasized on the issue of human virtue that would bring forth mutualism, low selfishness, and higher satisfaction levels. There exist some disparities between the Plato’s and Thrasymachus’s notions of justice. Thrasymachus emphasized on the aspect of the survival of the fittest while Plato emphasized the need for mutualism and increased well-being of both the individual and the society. Moral codes ought to be upheld by the individuals in order to foster mutualism and increased levels of societal integration.

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Dorter, K. (2006). The transformation of Plato’s Republic. Lanham [u.a.: Lexington Books.

Hall, R. W. (2004). Plato. London: Routledge.

Irwin, T. (1995). Plato’s ethics. New York: Oxford University Press.

Ladd, J. (2004). The Structure of a Moral Code: Navajo Ethics. Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Santas, G. X. (2001). Goodness and justice: Plato, Aristotle, and the moderns.