Plato and the Just and Unjust Life

Term Paper # 112287

Literature > Greek and Roman
Philosophy > Ancient Greek

A discussion of the idea of the just life over the unjust life in Plato's "Republic" and "Protagoras".

2,619 words () | 1 source | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines and analyzes Plato's treatment of justice in his works, "Republic" and "Protagoras". The paper first discusses the beginning of "Republic" where many different scholars argue over, and never agree upon, a definition of justice. The paper then looks at Book II of "Republic" where Socrates begins his explanation as to why it is better to live the just life, as opposed to the unjust life. Next, the paper discusses this explanation and then goes on to look at another of Plato's works, "Protagoras". The paper relates that, in "Protagoras", Socrates speaks of the difference between becoming good and remaining good. The paper also relates that this is where Socrates gives a long discourse on how it is actually not profitable at all to live the unjust life. In the conclusion of the paper, the writer asserts that, when the two dialogues are put together, it seems that true justice is not only becoming a just man and striving toward the good, but also staring at all of the temptations that injustice has in it and remaining just nonetheless.

From the Paper:

"Plato's Republic tells a story of a supremely just city, built from scratch, to show Glaucon that the unjust life is better than the just life. After Glaucon makes the claim that the unjust man "lives the life of a god," (365 b) in Book II, Socrates sets out to show him that the unjust or tyrannical man lives a life more wretched than any other man does. From the end of Book II to the beginning of Book IX, Socrates builds his just city and sets out how it will be run and who will be allowed with in it. Once the city is constructed in speech, Socrates then shows how an unjust man would not only corrupt the citizens of the just city, but also live a horrible and slave like life. Through the discourse given by Socrates in Plato's work, it is easy to see that the Just life is in fact more pleasant and rewarding than the tyrannical life."

Sample of Sources Used:

Plato's Complete Works, John M. Cooper (Editor), D. S. Hutchinson (Editor), Hackett Publishing Company (May 1997).

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APA Citation:

Plato and the Just and Unjust Life (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Term-Paper-Plato-and-the-Just-and-Unjust-Life/112287

MLA Citation:

"Plato and the Just and Unjust Life" 15 January 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://www.academon.com/Term-Paper-Plato-and-the-Just-and-Unjust-Life/112287>