2. Plato

Tripartite Structure

Societies have three parts: philosophic, appetitive, spirit.

Philosophic Element

Represents the head; rulers and philosophers.

Spirited Element

Corresponds to the chest; warriors and guardians.

Appetitive Element

Represents the abdomen; workers and laborers.

Appetite in Society

Focus on material needs like food and luxury.

Spirit in Society

Driven by passion for conflict and victory.

Natural Class System

Society structured based on soul elements.

Inequality Acceptance

Recognition of differences among individuals and classes.

Noble Lie

Myth justifying social hierarchy based on metals.

Myth of Metals

Humans mixed with gold, silver, or bronze.

Gold Nature

Philosophic individuals; rulers of society.

Silver Nature

Spirited individuals; defenders of society.

Bronze Nature

Appetitive individuals; producers in society.

Virtue of Wisdom

Philosophic element's quality for ruling.

Virtue of Courage

Spirited element's quality for defense.

Virtue of Moderation

Appetitive element's quality for production.

Training for Moderation

Controls the appetitive element's greed.

Philosophic Rule

Only class knowing virtues of all others.

Business Interests

Treats society as a profit-driven corporation.

Communism of Children

State educates children regardless of parentage.

Living Conditions of Guardians

No private property or personal privacy.

Cephalus' View on Justice

Justice is paying debts and returning owed.

Socratic Challenge

Justice can't mean returning weapons to a madman.

Polemarchus' Definition

Justice is helping friends, harming enemies.

Thrasymachus' Claim

Justice is the interest of the stronger.

Justice and Political Regimes

Varies according to ruling class interests.

Mistakes in Justice

Socrates questions if stronger ever err.

Tyrant's Happiness

Unjust person satisfies all desires, is happiest.

Justice as a Sucker's Game

Obeying rules benefits others, not oneself.

Thrasymachus' Embarrassment

Admits justice is weakness, not virtue.

Arguments for Just Life

Just man is wise; unjust man is ignorant.

Internal Disharmony

Injustice disrupts effective action and harmony.

Glaucon's Classifications

Three classes of good: intrinsic, both, consequential.

Justice in Class No. 2

Good for itself and its consequences.

Rhetoric vs. Knowledge

Rhetoric seen as superior to knowledge.