Aspects of Justice in Plato’s Republic Essay

Then, that exchange and meddling is injustice. Or to put it the other way around: For the moneymaking, auxiliary, and guardian classes each to do its own work in the city is the opposite. That’s justice, isn’t it, and makes the city just?

Introduction

It is believed that Plato advocated a society that would have mainly three classes. The ruling class also called the guardian classes, whose duties are the protection and benefit of the community. This class was instituted to ensure that all actions performed by them were for the enhancement of benefits to all community members.

Next is the auxiliary class, consisting mainly of soldiers and law enforcers who helped the guardian class to serve the community in the best possible manner. They would help the rulers in executing their executive decisions more effectively and meaningfully and address issues of dissension and non-compliance. And finally, agricultural trading class that would provide resources and earn money for the services they rendered to the other classes.

Justice does not encourage switching of individual roles

This compartmentalization was not only in the physical aspects governing various classes but also the mental mind sets and attributes for each class of society.

The highest class the guardians exercised their mental faculties and intellect, their wisdom, while for the warriors it was honor and courage; for the moneymakers it was business ethics and money discipline. Thus, it was virtually impossible for a warrior to perform a trader’s job or for a trader to assume the role of the guardian, unless he was endowed with such skills which could put it into commanding use. Thus the perception of justice emanated from the fact that these classes, or even characteristics were in tight compartment and each faculty managed its own business without intrusion and the concept of Justice- “minding your own business and not interfering with other people. “ (Plato; the Republic: Guardians and Auxiliaries, 204).

Justice means minding one’s own business and non–interference attitude

“The principle of specialization keeps the farmer from carpentering, and the carpenter from farming. More important, it keeps both the farmer and the carpenter from becoming warriors and rulers. The principle of specialization separates society into three classes: the class of producers (including farmers, craftsmen, doctors, etc.), the class of warriors, and the class of rulers….. Producers stay out of political affairs, only worrying themselves about the business of ruling insofar as they need to obey what the rulers say and the warriors enforce. A city set up in this way, Plato contends, is a just city.“ (The Republic: Philosophical Themes, Arguments & Ideas).

Thus, unjustified assumption of non-assigned jobs could be disastrous for the economy and in simple terms, simply unjust. “And conversely, when each of our three classes (businessmen, auxiliaries and guardians) does its own job and minds its own business that, by contrast, is justice and makes our state just.” (Plato; the Republic: Guardians and Auxiliaries, 206).

The main question that now arises is – What is justice? It could be in terms of minding one’s own business and not seeking concern in the affairs of others. Sequelly, therefore, injustice would be when a person does not mind his own business and interferes, or meddles in the affairs of others. However, it is argued by Thrasymachus that justice is an excuse by powerful and politically influential persons to subjugate the poor and oppressed. The advantageous persons are those who could violate it and lead their own independent lives without bothering about justice. Again, it is seen that many who are subdued by justice notions are not able to reach their full potential since they always consider the just results of their actions and inactions. Justice could also be seen in terms of benefiting one’s friends and harming one’s enemies.

Some theories advocate that justice is machinations of rich on poor people

Although it could be said that justice is a contextual term and could take up different connotations in different situations, the fact is that justice is regarded for its own sake, rather than for its consequences. People believed in justice since they are fearful of the consequences of being unjust to others. Thus, it is the punitive aspect of justice that is feared, and not the fact that justice is a way of life and helps sustain life on earth. Another argument on justice is that it is an imposition by the influential and the powerful (guardians) on the masses through the use of auxiliaries. Thus, the aspect of tyranny is also present, in that people may be debarred from exercising their right through the machinations of guardians, and there could be miscarriages of justice.

Equal rights for men and women

It is believed that justice is awe inspiring and helps the guardians in administering law and order in society. Again according to Plato, the right kind of justice would enforce if women and men are given equal rights to education, work opportunites, etc. in order to enable them to contribute equally to society like men. Of course, there are certain works which women cannot undertake because of their physical lack of strength. But otherwise, it is possible for both men and women to contribute to society in more or less equal proportions. Again, it is seen that Plato did not approve of family ties, since it would tie the person down and make him/her forget social commitments and responsibility.

Eliminate family life for pursuing social causes

He therefore advocates the use of mandatory baby nurseries, in which children would have to be kept, until they are ready to assume auxiliary duties. These nurseries would ensure that children get the same kind of treatment and education for assuming roles in later lives. “The advantages of the system from Plato’s point of view are, first, that it makes it possible to breed good citizens, and second, that it gets rid of the distracting loyalties, affections and interests of the family system, and divert them to the service of the community.” (Plato; the Republic: Women and the Family, 237).

It is seen that Plato denounced the aggrandizement of private property by individuals, stating that property needs to be used for common good and all people need to have access to property. “If they acquire private property in land, houses, or money, they will become farmers and men of business instead of guardians, and harsh tyrants instead of partners in their dealings with their fellow citizens, with whom they will live on terms of mutual hatred and suspicion.” (Plato; the Republic: Guardians and Auxiliaries,185).

Further, regarding justice it is said that it concerned itself with internal or extrinsic interests and not external actions. A man who practices justice would not permit the three elements within him to transgress each other but would like to keep each of them in distinct compartments, in disciplined and well rounded manner. When the internal constituents are well bound into a unified whole, he would be able to face any calamity or stress situation with equanimity and grace, without becoming unduly fluttered or disturbed. Thus a just person would be non-interfering, both in terms of his external world and also his internal build up and would live in peace and harmony with his world and environment.

Individual justice is determination of political justice system

At the conclusion of Chapter IV, Plato shows that individual justice is just a reflection of political justice system. The 3 point structures found in individuals match with that found in nations. The first aspect is rational part of the soul that is always seeking truth and justice, the second part of the soul reinforces it and the appetitive part seeks fulfillment of desires and follows the rationale. It is analogous to the country where each of the three classes of society, in fact, is subjugated by one of the three parts of the soul. Producers are conquered by their appetites—their urges for money, luxury, and pleasure. Warriors are subjected by their spirits, the source of their courage. Kings, or guardians are ruled by their rational faculties and perennial quest for wisdom. (The Republic Plato: Overview). However, it is very difficult to establish the evidence that justice needs to be pursued for its own sake instead of fear of its consequences. The question that could crop up next would be in terms of whether justice would have the same effect if the consequences were removed or eliminated. Thus criminals could go about their nefarious activities without having to worry about its consequences, or just persons may become unjust or tyrannical once they are aware of its benefits and no punishment deal. Again the need to be just and reasoned is needed for the pursuits of good activities and deeds. Justice is to be followed since it leads on the supreme good – The form of the Good. It is seen that in final stages of The Republic, after justice has been established as the maximum good. (The Republic Plato: Overview).

No conflict between 3 elements both at individualized and governing level

According to Plato, the norms of justice both the individual and nation status, assume non conflict between the three elements that are found. On the other hand, it is also to be seen that the characteristics of just society in terms of judicious law making (guardians), law enforcement ( auxiliary ) and profit making (traders) need to be imbued in the justice concept just as individual traits like courage and honor (Warrior), intellect and decision (Guardians ) and providing food and shelter (traders) helps in having a better understanding of Plato’s Republic from an unbiased and progressive outlook. There needs to be no overlapping of the characteristics of justice, and its implication on it that would render it unjust, and open to actions and proceedings, which is undesirable by the advocates of the system. If the warrior traded his honor and pride for intellect, or ruling capability, chaos would result. Similarly if traders wanted to become warriors, the situation would worsen. Thus, it is seen that in order for justice to prevail and order to remain sustainable, role playing needs to be correctly performed. The specialization in trade needs to be observed, and occupations clearly redefined and charted to suit individual and company needs.

Further, it is seen that justice is always followed with genuine pleasures. In all probability, none of these is actually believed to provide as the main reason why justice is sought-after. In its place, the popularity of justice is likely associated to the close nexus between just lives and the various manifestations. According to Plato, the concept of justice was valuable even when considered in the light of the benefits and advantages it bestowed on its users, especially when its connections with Forms are considered. However, it is necessary to consider justice on its own merits and not the fear of the repercussions of not being just, or being tyrannical and the grievous after-effects to the tyrant. The concept of justice is good since it brings humans closer to Forms that are good; thus by relating to justice and the Forms, individuals are also rendered good. However, the consistency elements of justice need to be constantly monitored.

Conclusions

The above deliberations have considered the aspects of justice and non-justice in the context of Plato’s writings on the Republic. His peregrinations in this controversial aspects have stemmed from the fact that many contemporary philosophers had denounced justice saying that it was a tool used by powerful administrators to seek compliance and obedience from the meek subjects. Since the subjects had no choice but to obey, it was not justice in true sense of the term but only forced justice. Justice loses its credibility when it is practiced for fear of consequences and for the role played by other actors in the executory aspects of justice. According to the writer, justice imposed is not justice but a kind of punishment for past sins. In order for justice to prevail and the city be just, it is necessary that the persons’ responsibility for its maintenance be honest and have commitment for the cause. It is also necessary that the subject is approached with an open mind, in order that maximum advantage is gained.

“The just man tries to imitate the Forms by making his own soul as orderly and harmonious as the Forms themselves.” (The Republic: Philosophical Themes, Arguments & Ideas). It is seen that the study has considered the aspect of justice from the main premise that it is not imposed but is sought for its own benefits. When particular aspects of justice and its ability to instill compliance from individuals is considered, its close associations with Forms makes it sought after, and this perhaps could be one of its redeeming features in the present context of justice.

Works Cited

Plato; the Republic: Guardians and Auxiliaries.

Plato; the Republic: Women and the Family.

The Republic Plato: Overview. Spark Notes. 2009. Web.

The Republic Plato: Philosophical Themes, Arguments & Ideas. Spark Notes. 2009. Web.