Republic, Book II Flashcards
Explain goods being good for themselves (Intrinsic goods).
These are the goods that are valuable in and of themselves, regardless of any consequences they may bring. They have inherent worth or goodness. Examples include happiness, pleasure, knowledge, love, and certain virtues like courage and honesty. These goods are desirable for their own sake and pursuing them is typically seen as ethically valuable.
Explain goods being good for their consequences (Instrumental goods).
These are the goods that are valuable because of the benefits or outcomes they produce. They are means to achieve some other end or goal. Money is a classic example. People seek money not because it has intrinsic value but because it can be used to acquire other things, such as food, shelter, or leisure. Health is another example; it is valued because it leads to well-being and the ability to enjoy life.
Explain goods being both good for themselves and their consequences.
These are goods that have intrinsic value, but they also produce beneficial outcomes.
For example: Education can be both an intrinsic and instrumental good. People often pursue education for the sake of acquiring knowledge and personal growth (intrinsic value). At the same time, education is also instrumental because it can lead to better job opportunities, increased earning potential, and improved career prospects (instrumental value).
Which kind of good would Thrasymachus think justice is?
Thrasymachus’ View: Thrasymachus, as previously discussed, views justice primarily as a good for its consequences. He believes that justice serves the interests of the stronger, and it is a means by which the ruling class maintains power and control over society. For Thrasymachus, justice is instrumental—it benefits those in power by ensuring their dominance and the obedience of the weaker members of society.
What kind of justice does Socrates think justice is?
He sees justice as a good in itself, one that is intrinsically valuable. Socrates argues that living a just life is not solely about the external consequences it may bring, such as rewards or societal approval. Instead, he suggests that a just person is virtuous and possesses a well-ordered soul, which is inherently valuable and contributes to their own well-being and flourishing.
Socrates contends that justice is not merely a means to an end; it is a fundamental aspect of living a good and meaningful life.
Explain Glaucon’s argument that justice is an intermediate position between the best case (getting away with injustice) and the worst case (having injustice done to you). Why does Glaucon think that people choose this intermediate position?
Justice is only good for its consequences, it is a compromise we make to avoid suffering injustice, but getting away with injustice is better. According to Glaucon, everybody likes doing injustice, and dislikes having to be just.
Glaucon believes that people choose an intermediate position between complete justice and complete injustice because they are naturally inclined toward self-interest and would act unjustly if they could do so without consequences. He uses the Ring of Gyges story to illustrate his point and provoke further philosophical discussion on the nature of justice and human behavior.
Ex. You do not get to steal other people’s items, but they do not get to steal yours either.
Best life: doing injustice, but never suffering it.
Worst life: suffering injustice, but never doing it.
Intermediate life: neither doing nor suffering from injustice.
If Glaucon’s position is correct, then everyone would choose injustice if they had the power to.
Explain the story of Gyges’ ring. How does the story (ostensibly) illustrate that justice is only good for its consequences?
Gyges was a shepherd in the service of the ruler of Lydia. One day, after a great storm, an earthquake opened the earth, revealing a cave. Gyges entered the cave and discovered a bronze horse with a hollow body. Inside the horse, he found a corpse wearing a golden ring. Gyges took the ring and left the cave. Unbeknownst to Gyges, this ring possessed a magical power. When he turned the ring’s bezel toward his palm, he became invisible. When he turned it back outward, he became visible again.
Illustration of Justice for Its Consequences: The story of Gyges’ ring is used by Glaucon in Plato’s “Republic” to argue that people are not inherently just but rather act justly only because they fear the consequences of injustice. The ring, which provides the power of invisibility, symbolizes the ability to commit unjust acts without being caught or facing punishment.
Glaucon’s point, in presenting this story, is to suggest that if individuals had the power to act unjustly without any risk of being discovered or penalized, they would do so. According to his argument, the only reason people refrain from injustice and act justly is that they are afraid of suffering the negative consequences that come with being unjust, such as retaliation from others, legal consequences, or damage to their reputation.
Explain the challenge to Socrates about justice and what he will need to do to meet this challenge in the rest of the Republic. What does he have to compare, what does he have to show, and why?
The Challenge to Socrates: Glaucon and Adeimantus challenge Socrates to provide a robust and compelling account of justice that demonstrates its intrinsic value. They argue that most people in society consider justice to be a necessary evil—they follow the rules and act justly because they fear the consequences of injustice. However, they are not convinced that justice is genuinely good in itself. Instead, they contend that people only value justice for its consequences, such as societal order and avoiding punishment.
To meet this challenge, Socrates compares the just and unjust lives, arguing that justice brings inner harmony and fulfillment. He explores the ideal city and the ideal soul, introduces the tripartite soul concept, and discusses the Form of the Good to show that justice is valuable for its own sake, not just for external rewards. He aims to convince that living justly is superior due to its alignment with deep truths about reality and the human soul, making it an intrinsic and supreme virtue.
What must Socrates need to prove in his challenge from Glaucon and Adeimantus?
What Socrates Needs to Do: To meet this challenge, Socrates must embark on a philosophical inquiry to establish that justice is intrinsically good and worth pursuing for its own sake, not merely to avoid negative consequences. He will need to compare the just life with the unjust life and show that the just life is superior in terms of individual well-being and the overall harmony of the soul.
Socrates argues that living a just life, where one’s reason controls their appetites and emotions, leads to a harmonious and balanced soul, resulting in a happier and more fulfilling life. He believes that justice is not merely a means to an end but is a good in and of itself. Through this philosophical discussion, Socrates aims to demonstrate the intrinsic value of justice and refute the view presented by Glaucon and Adeimantus.
What must Socrates display throughout this challenge to prove his claims?
Specifically, Socrates must:
Compare Justice and Injustice: Socrates needs to thoroughly examine both just and unjust lives, considering their respective effects on the individual’s happiness, moral character, and inner harmony.
He will need to show that living a just life leads to greater personal fulfillment and flourishing.
Demonstrate the Intrinsic Goodness of Justice: Socrates must argue that justice is not merely a social contract or a response to societal pressures but a virtue that contributes to a person’s inner well-being and moral excellence.
He needs to establish that justice is valuable for its own sake, regardless of external consequences.
Address the Question of the Ideal State: Socrates also has to extend this argument to the level of the ideal state or city. He must demonstrate that the principles of justice that apply to individuals also apply to the organization of a just society. In doing so, he can illustrate that a just society is not only more stable and harmonious but also morally superior.
