Glaucon's Argument in Book Two of the Republic

Categories of Goods

• First Category: Goods desirable for their own sake (e.g., harmless pleasures).
• Second Category: Goods desirable for their own sake and for their results (e.g., knowledge, sight, health).
• Third Category: Goods desirable for their consequences but undesirable in themselves (e.g., gymnastics, making money).

Glaucon's Inquiry

• Glaucon asks Socrates in which category Justice belongs.
• Socrates' Response: Justice belongs to the highest category (desirable in itself and for its rewards).
• Glaucon's Counter: Most people place Justice in the lowest category, valued only for its rewards.

Glaucon's Arguments Against Justice

Argument 1: Nature and Origin of Justice

• Justice arises from men suffering and committing evil; seeking a balance to avoid both.
• Justice is a compromise: not inherently good but a lesser evil.

Argument 2: Human Nature and Justice

• Given power, both just and unjust would choose the path of self-interest.
• Laws force men into justice.
• Example: The story of Gyges – a shepherd becomes invisible, acts unjustly, seizing power.
  • If anyone had such power, they would act unjustly for personal gain.

Argument 3: Unjust Life is Better

• Parental Teaching: Justice taught for rewards, not its inherent good.
• Appearance vs. Reality: Appearance of justice provides more happiness and rewards than true justice.
• A just man can suffer as unjust, while an unjust man can reap rewards by appearing just.
• Gods, if they exist, can be appeased by the wealthy unjust, supporting the unjust life.

Challenge to Socrates

• Glaucon challenges Socrates to prove the superiority of the just life without considering external rewards.
  • Socrates' Approach: To find justice in the state, then the individual.
  • He begins by identifying justice in the larger, more discernible context of the state.