Justice in the City and in the Soul
Everybody seems to likes justice especially when it is to their advantage. Justice is something that not everyone in the current world gets it. It has proved to be owned by those who got powers or are superior. Most political leaders and those occupying public office take advantage of their subject’s weaknesses to deny their rights. In this context, we define justice differently according to different characters who have got varying opinions about what is just and what it means. Selfishness makes humans forget that they belong to each other and leaders need their subjects to elevate and maintain them in their positions. In Republic because of selfism portrayed, injustice is a point of concern, people fail to belong to each other as a nation.
The strong according to Glaucon (2-3), do not need justice rather the weak are the beneficiaries. He even goes ahead to say that if it were not for the fear of the consequences, men could be so happy if they could just be unjust and get away with it. That clearly indicate how the privileged, do not care about whether there is justice or not after all it has got nothing to do with them. the guardians are denied a right of having a private life of family yet it is seen that Glaucon himself loves pleasure, he wants more of food entertainment and such pleasures. The guards are even paid wages that only satisfy their immediate wants and lives in a public place to just adapt to the same lifestyle which seems to be not so comfortable; so inconsiderate.
The tyranny form of government is clearly revealing the fact that leadership is not for everyone but some group of individuals in the society. Adeinamtus (4-5), claims that people are just, only because of the fear of the gods who hold men in check. Only if everybody would be mindful of others as well injustice would not be something to debate on in the Republic.
The city’s provision of food, clothing and shelter needs the skills of the farmers, craftsmen and producers generally. According to Socrates, a healthy and a natural city is one which the members co-exist. The traders cannot trade anything when the producers fail to produce. There is also need for a currency exchange and hence need for moneymakers meaning, everyone will have their own job and it is only possible when there is justice in the city and willingness to work together for the whole good and not for personal interests. Soc adds that the city needs to expand and there will be need for warriors for defense but when there is no justice where does the guardian’s morel come from? As a matter of fact, when those in authority care about the ones under them they become more patriotic due to motivation. Stopping slavery and destructions using genocides creates peace among cities and people live together as brothers (Socrates, 4-5).
There is much need of justice in the city the idea of Thrasymachus (4-5), that justice requires defense, is what people should be talking about. It is a direction towards selflessness. Governed by some serious rights, considering that the traditions and the habits of the citizens have been eroded, brings about a great need for the defense to promote the justice in the city. Good leadership is where it serves the interest of common good and not for private interest. A just city is where the guardians and the citizens agree and are not enemies of the state and maintain the balance of justice for everyone. The idea of divide and rule is a characteristic of an unjust city instead the rulers and the ruled should share in the benefits of justice with not extreme poverty or too much wealth.
Justice in the city is a reflection of the justice in the soul (Plato’s Bks, 4-5). Denying the guardians, the rights to private life has led to abolition of families. Women and children have been left without their husbands and fathers due to selfishness and the need of them as the city servants should not be a reason for separating them with their people, there is need for soul justice for the women, children and the guardians. Families who fight together fight harder (Plato’s Bks, 4-5). The bonds of kinship and family makes the warriors gather more courage and as a result victory emerges. The character instilled in children will determine the future of the state. Women contribute more in the childhood stage of their children and when they are recognized and given some capacity in the society their importance is realized. Women and men together for political purpose will help harness and control sexual desire. They will excite but channel physical attraction which would be disruptive (Rom & Jul). When fairness exists, the soul finds justice.
The idea of justice as ‘‘Minding Your Own Business’’ means everyone receiving what each is fitted for. It means everyone contributing and having their dues; a share in the common good. Such soothes the soul and encourages one to even contribute more towards the state. By guardians and citizens exercising tradition and conservation, it could be their source of happiness as change leads to ‘‘degeneration’’. Soul may be divine and immortal but it is conjoined to the body and whatever is good for the body is also good for the soul. Philosophy is said to be erotic and it is of higher order because it does not seek a part but the whole it makes the idea move from motion to rest and from desire to satisfaction.
However, in some states though since the beginning the way of leadership has been hereditary and whether it is just or unjust depends on the leader. There is a conjunction of philosophy and political power (Plato’s Bks 4-5). Since philosophers are known and admired for their wisdom, irrespective of whether they really are selfless or not, as long as they are wise, it is the most important thing to put into consideration. Aristocratic form of government is where a class of certain people are considered superior to others. In such a state, the citizens must follow the rules whether they like it or not. Their opinions do not matter that much as long as the state’s regulations are kept. Maintaining the positions in public offices is not easy for many, it could mean to use force and deny the subjects some of their rights. It is a belief that in order to lead people one must set a good example from the physical presentation to the size of their pockets. Actually it does not matter whether it is for private or public interest but after all the strong are not in need of that justice that much but the poor who got nothing to defend them if not their rights and freedoms. In fact, it is because of the fear of the supreme and the consequences that come along otherwise, who cares about what is good and right though coming to think, it is nothing big of a deal since the gods can be bought with a sacrifice (Plato’s Republic Bks ,2-3). As long as the guardians offer defense, what does their right to family has to do with entire nation? Their job is to guard and so be it
Everyone has their part to play in the state without which a state will not develop with some group only playing a part. If families do not exist, how does a state come to being? Women also play the most important and basic part in human foundation. The leaders’ behaviour in the offices, the warriors in the battle fields and even the traders in the market will all depend on the kind of person one was raised to be. Even the leaders themselves need some sense of belonging and considering that everyone is gifted somewhere and is of need at times means that it is best to treat people as we ought to be treated. Self-centeredness is the point, as long as the rulers are the same people forever, a state revolves around the same ideas and that hinders development. Education in itself helps people get the idea of unity to achievement, even wisdom without character is not a good way to be a leader. It is indeed clear that the moment people belong to each other most thing will flow in a state.
In conclusion, humans need to be motivated, loved as the case of Glaucon. If it was possible everyone would want to enjoy the privileges that come along with the leadership position but the elected should employ a lot of wisdom and good character to rule. Citizens should be given a chance to show and improve on their skills. Justice is for the common good, when the soul is satisfied a healthy city results and happy citizens gives their superior ample times to lead. As long as selfishness exist, justice can never prevail.