What is Justice

Socrates in his conversation with Thrasymachus proves that justice is a principal, intrinsic virtue that is good in itself or espoused a non-consequentialist view.

Socrates, in the Republic, attempts to prove that justice is good in and of itself. In other words, Socrates made a non-consequentialist argument for justice. But before he arrived at the non-consequentialist view on justice he pointed out to Thrasymachus that justice is also consequentialist, meaning it is relative to the actions of a person that pleases another.

The interesting conversation regarding justice started when Thrasymachus, Socrates’ interlocutor in Plato’s Republic, argued that morality and justice are not based on intrinsic properties that are inherent in these same values, that are independent of human perceptions or actions.

In short, what makes human actions just is not justice itself but the by-product of deeds that elicit positive response in others. The thing is just because it pleases a person or is useful to him, that is what makes them just or morally good. Individual preferences then come into play in deciding if an action is just or not.

Consequentialist Argument for Justice

Socrates countered the arguments forwarded by Thrasymachus by saying that justice and morality have two parts. First, he points out that justice can be useful and pleasing to all not just to certain groups or persons depending greatly on human preferences unlike what Thrasymachus believes. Justice can be good to all because some social arrangements could lead to the advantage of the entire community. Justice therefore is just and advantageous to all, not just to some or disadvantageous to others.

Socrates provides the natural dependence of humans on others as a perfect example of the encompassing virtue of justice. According to Socrates, each needs others for their wants. All is insufficient on his own. And this holds true in every situation whether economically or socially.

Division of labor has led to material and social benefits for all. Therefore, justice is good because it is instrumental to the attainment of economic and social goods all need. Therefore, justice is applicable to all. And each of us derived some good from justice.

Non-Consequentialist Argument for Justice

This brings us to the second argument raised by Socrates – that justice is good in and of itself. In this second view, Socratese convincingly made a non-consequentialist argument for justice. This is the principal part of Socrates’ argument in response to Thrasymachus.

This proves that the usefulness of justice does not depend on the need to acquire something for ourselves. Justice is good in and of itself. He argues that justice is intrinsic and independent of benefits and rewards. Justice is a virtue in itself and does not need external validation.

Justice as Principal Intrinsic Virtue

Socrates argues that justice is the principal virtue of the human soul since justice serves as the basis for the three other cardinal virtues – wisdom, courage and moderation. To delve deeper into this claim by Socrates it is important to understand his definition of the human soul, the meaning of virtue and the relationship of justice and human virtues.

Human soul means the total of human psychological faculties. The human soul separates people from objects. It is immortal. Virtue in humans pertains to the capacity to carry out tasks well. Virtue is always identified with a task or job. It is always related to something to perform a task.

Every human society must perform specific tasks to make it humane. These tasks are inherent in people, therefore one can have no choice over them. This is where political rulers come in. They make rules as to what tasks are allowed and what are not.

Justice, and morality will only manifest if one has the virtues to carry out these tasks. Justice therefore is not possible to manifest on its own. It is hard to know what is just if one does not know what is good. One cannot be good if one doesn’t know what tasks are needed and what virtues are important to carry out these tasks. Justice may be a principal virtue from which other virtues emanate but it is also a derivative virtue.

There are objects which are not transitory or do not satisfy just the immediate needs of a person. These things are always good for all people at all times. The beauty of these objects are not subject to opinions or use. These goods have their own intrinsic perfection. Socrates points out that these are the things that can make us attain true happiness.

The basic reason one acquires goods is because one thinks they can make him/her happy. But real happiness or the eternal joy is only found in goods that will always be good. In the hierarchy of beauty, these objects belong to the highest. Justice is thus based on the notion that some things have intrinsic perfection.