Plato on Justice

Historical Background

Types of Government  Tyranny

Historical Background Types of Government  Tyranny  Oligarchy

Historical Background Types of Government  Tyranny  Oligarchy  Democracy

Historical Background

Diagnosis Types of GovernmentCharacteristic Fault  Tyranny  Oligarchy  Democracy

Diagnosis Types of GovernmentCharacteristic Fault  TyrannySelfishness  Oligarchy  Democracy

Diagnosis Types of GovernmentCharacteristic Fault  TyrannySelfishness  OligarchyGroup-interest  Democracy

Diagnosis Types of GovernmentCharacteristic Fault  TyrannySelfishness  OligarchyGroup-interest Sparta  Democracy

Diagnosis Sparta Fear of serfs led to unity Fear of serfs led to unity Extreme militarization Extreme militarization Communal living Communal living Indoctrination Indoctrination

Diagnosis Types of GovernmentCharacteristic Fault  TyrannySelfishness  OligarchyGroup-interest Sparta  DemocracyDilettantism & Busybodiness

Diagnosis Types of GovernmentCharacteristic Fault  TyrannySelfishness  OligarchyGroup-interest Sparta  DemocracyDilettantism & Busybodiness Athens

Diagnosis Sparta Fear of serfs led to unity Fear of serfs led to unity Extreme militarization Extreme militarization Communal living Communal living Indoctrination Indoctrination Athens assignment of some offices by lot Elections led to demagoguery Partisanship Social disorder

Diagnosis Failings are all plausibly kinds of injustice. Selfishness Obviously unjust (by tradition), Selfishness Obviously unjust (by tradition), Group-interest A type of selfishness, Group-interest A type of selfishness, Dilettantism Doing what you’re not cut out for. Dilettantism Doing what you’re not cut out for. Being where you shouldn’t be and stopping those who are better qualified from doing their thing. BusybodinessMaking your opinion count where it isn’t qualified to function well BusybodinessMaking your opinion count where it isn’t qualified to function well Putting your opinion where it has no business being.

What do they say Justice is? Cephalus and Polemarchus Justice is the art of returning good for good and evil for evil.

What do they say Justice is? Cephalus and Polemarchus Justice is the art of returning good for good and evil for evil. the idea that the mere ability is itself justice. the idea that the mere ability is itself justice. But: An ability is morally neutral and it can be used for J or injustice. the rule of tit-for-tat as a guide to justice. the rule of tit-for-tat as a guide to justice. But: Tit-for-tat is only a guide to interpersonal relations

What do they say Justice is? Thrasymachus Justice is the interest of the strong.

What do they say Justice is? Thrasymachus Justice is the interest of the strong. The ruler or the state operates in its own interest. The ruler or the state operates in its own interest. But: Plato argues that the proper role of a ruler is to aid the ruled If J. is whatever you can get away with, then that applies to everyone. The wise man therefore does the conventionally ‘unjust’ thing If J. is whatever you can get away with, then that applies to everyone. The wise man therefore does the conventionally ‘unjust’ thing But: Plato thinks he can prove that the wise man is just because he will get a better outcome. (See Gorgias.)

The Three-part Soul Rational Rationalreasoning Appetitive Appetitive to do with desires and lower passions Spirited Spirited think of it as ‘honour’

The Three-part State Soul PartState SectorCitizens RationalGovernmentGuardians Appetitive EconomyWorkers SpiritedMilitarySoldiers

The Three-part State Economy Economy Suitable for those whose appetitive souls are strongest Suitable for those whose appetitive souls are strongest Specialisation is good for the state. Specialisation is good for the state.

The Three-part State Economy Economy Suitable for those whose appetitive souls are strongest Suitable for those whose appetitive souls are strongest Specialisation is good for the state. Specialisation is good for the state. Military Military The spirited folk The spirited folk A professional army is required A professional army is required

The Three-part State Economy Economy Suitable for those whose appetitive souls are strongest Suitable for those whose appetitive souls are strongest Specialisation is good for the state. Specialisation is good for the state. Military Military The spirited folk The spirited folk A professional army is required A professional army is required Government Government Choose those whose rational souls are strongest Choose those whose rational souls are strongest A mandarinate A mandarinate A Philosopher-King A Philosopher-King

Justice The proper rule for men to follow: A place for everyone and everyone in their place

Critique The proper rule for men to follow: A place for everyone and everyone in their place Is a travesty of our idea of what justice really is.

Critique Rigidity of class system Suppression of individuality Nor should the mind of anybody be habituated to letting him do anything at all on his own initiative, neither out of zeal, nor even playfully. … And even in the smallest matters he should stand under leadership. For example, he should get up or move, or wash, or take his meals … only if he has been told to do so. Indoctrination Community of women Deceit as a state policy Etc.

Critique The ideal State looks like an even more totalitarian version of Sparta

Critique It seems Plato had no time for the vision of Athens