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Justice Vs Socrates Justice

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In the Republic book one, Socrates argues that the best method for investigating the meaning of justice is pure questioning. On page 5 line 331c is where the first question about justice arises. After this, Socrates continues to question Cephalus and his son Polemarchus for 7 more pages. Socrates’ justification for his preferred method of investigating justice comes on page 13 line 336e where he says, “if we were searching for gold, we would never voluntarily give way to each other.” Socrates compares justice to gold and explains that something so valuable is not easily achieved and is not something you can just give away so easily. Thrasymachus, on the other hand, would prefer a fast and direct answer based purely on one’s own experience. …show more content…

It is for this reason that Plato draws the distinction between Socrates’ and Thrasymachus’ methods. By doing this, Plato exposes the reader to the distinct outcomes that each method of investigation brings. To support this theory, I would argue that on page 25 line 347d Socrates says that “In a city of good men, if it came into being, the citizens would fight in order not to rule, just as they do now in order to rule. There it would be quite clear that anyone who is really and truly a ruler does not naturally seek what is advantageous for himself, but what is so for his subject.” This quote, which was preceded by more questioning, proves wrong Thrasymacus’ previous statement of justice only being what is advantageous for the stronger. In this scenario, Plato shows that much like Thrasymacus says on page 13 line 336c, it is easier to answer a question rather than to investigate deeper. However, by investigating deeper we find ourselves one step closer to the truth as well as to complete knowledge. This is not to say that the Socratic method is perfect. Socrates himself admits this on page 35 line 354b5, “Hence the result of the discussion, so far as I am concerned is that I know nothing.” The only, and perhaps quite meaningful, advantage that the Socratic method has over Thrasymacus’ method is that it brings to light our own

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