Developing a Definition of Justice
In Book I of Plato's The Republic a definition of justice begins to develop in Socrates'
conversations with Cephalus, Polemarchus and Thrasymachus. Through these conversations we,
as readers, come closer to a definition of justice.Three definitions of justice are presented: argued
by Cephalus and Polemarchus, justice is speaking the truth and paying ones debts; Thrasymachus
insists that justice is the advantage of the stronger; Socrates suggests that justice is a craft like
such as aiding the sick or being a captain of a chip. Through speculation Socrates disproves the
later definitions. Also, through said speculation certain defining characteristics evolve. Socrates
disproves his company's arguments of what justice is through the use of analogies and
syllogisms. The syllogisms lead us closer to the definition of justice as two definitions are
eliminated by Socrates and only his proposed definition survives the scrutiny of the mens
argument.
Socrates finds many flaws in Cephalus' and Polemarchus' definition of Justice as
speaking the truth and paying ones debts. The conversation about justice arises when Socrates
questions Cephalus about the greatest good his wealth had brought to him. Cephalus replies that
wealth aids one to live a just life by saving one from having to cheat and deceive in order to have
life's necessities. Wealth helps to insure that no sacrifices or money is left owed at the end of
ones life, ...