Discussion of Knowledge and Justice with Reference to Plato’s ‘The Republic’

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Discussion of Knowledge and Justice with Reference to Plato’s ‘The Republic’

Ariana Blake

PHIL2031 – Ancient Greek Philosophy

Dr. Eleanor Grant

12 May 2025

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Discussion of Knowledge and Justice with Reference to Plato’s ‘The Republic’

Plato in ‘The Republic’ (Plato, 2021) purveys profound knowledge regarding the concept of knowledge and justice. For Plato, justice is not a legal concept but the essence of human existence. In ‘The Republic, ‘ several characters, such as Socrates, Cephalus, Polemarchus, Thrasymachus, Glaucon, and Adeimantus, discuss variant definitions of justice through the dialectical method. In Book I, Socrates at the house of Polemarchus encounters Polemarchus’s father, Cephalus, and starts a discussion about justice. According to Cephalus, justice means giving each person what is owed to them. (331 c). Polemarchus says that to give to each what is appropriate to him is justice. (332 c). According to Thrasymachus, what is advantageous for the stronger implies justice. (338 c). (Plato, 2021). Focusing on these different definitions and refuting them, Socrates in Plato’s ‘The Republic’ explains that justice depends on achieving harmony between the human soul’s three aspects: desire, spirit, and wisdom. Plato says, “When gold and silver must be used in partnership, in what case is the just man more useful than the other.” (333 c). (Plato, 2021). From the statement, it is evident that justice lies in understanding that three elements, viz desire, spirit, and wisdom, make up the human soul. The fulfillment of a soul’s purpose lies in allowing reason to govern the two other elements, which provide for repose and enlightenment.

According to Plato, just men must achieve a partnership between these three elements: gold representing wisdom, silver representing spirit, and bronze representing appetite to become just in decisions and actions. Plato explains that philosophy is the means to achieve justice. Plato explained his theory of philosopher kings, where the city-states must function under the guardianship of philosopher kings. Plato asserts that the city-states must develop a system of philosophical education where both men and women receive physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, and philosophical education to develop the cardinal virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.

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Philosopher kings can achieve a harmonious balance between these virtues, making them perfect for ruling city-states. In Book II, Glaucon states that a city-state made only of producers who can achieve moderate subsistence is no more than a city of pigs because mere satisfaction of hunger and survival achievement does not meet the highest virtues humans possess and must strive to develop. In Book II, Plato states, “If a man lets a crucial moment in any work pass, it is completely ruined.” (370 b). (Plato, 2021). From the statement, it is evident that men are not made for mere survival, but they must utilize their mental capacity to distinguish between what is crucial and non-crucial and make the most advantage of the time. In Plato’s philosophy, time does not refer to the passage of minutes and hours; it refers to the entire lifespan available, which only men or philosopher kings use to achieve good in city-states. Thus, Plato’s system of justice and philosophy are intertwined. Plato believes that it is only through philosophical education and understanding the virtues of the soul, focusing on the development of wisdom and courage to control the carnal desire, that it is possible to achieve a realm of justice.

In Book IV, one comes across several characters, with Socrates as the main character, refuting the definitions of philosophy, justice, and knowledge of other characters, and allowing the readers to comprehend the significance of knowledge and justice. Plato believes in the realm of philosophy and justice that could rid the city-states of their present societal ills and evils. Drawing parallels between the city and the soul, Plato in Book IV states, “Isn’t it quite necessary for us to agree that the very same forms and dispositions as are in the city are in each of us.” (435 e). (Plato, 2021). Comparing the creation of a city-state and the tripartite formation of a soul, Plato establishes his theory of forms of justice.

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The form of justice does not refer to types of justice, but it implies that justice lies in allowing the philosopher kings to rule with rationality and wisdom, aided by the courage of the spirited guardian class and served by the other members who represent the bronze element, or appetite or desire. Thus, achieving a harmonious interaction of the elements of the soul allows each man to act justly and be happy, and when a city-state is made up of happy and just men, especially philosopher kings, the entire city functions on the principle of justice and happiness.

Plato’s ‘The Republic’ is profound in its fashion that it develops a comprehensive system of education. Plato’s system of education and acquiring knowledge also focuses on physical education so that the philosopher kings, the guardian class, do not fall ill because a city ruled by an unhealthy philosopher cannot rule well. Plato’s system of education and knowledge requires all men and women to achieve education, and there should be no relationship between husband and wife, and there must be communism among wives so that the children belong to all. This system of education and knowledge allows the philosopher kings not to focus on the good of their own progeny but to function with an impartial and unbiased attitude because everyone belongs to everyone, which eradicates the principle of private ownership, private property, and family, that is the main cause of injustice in city-states. I can discern from Plato’s views about knowledge and justice expressed in ‘The Republic’ that justice lies in the regime of philosophy. It is essential to create a system of education to achieve and develop a class of philosopher kings who have achieved control over their carnal desires and appetites. In my opinion, the present system of education, which only focuses on the achievement of information, does not meet the highest standards of an educational system guided by a philosophy based on the principle of justice. Hence, it is safe to conclude that Plato’s concept of justice and knowledge are interlinked and demand a harmonious relation between the three elements of the soul, evident in the functioning of city-states, directed towards the achievement of the highest virtues, which purports human society on the path of progress and excellence.

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References