Does Socrates sufficiently defend justice in Platos Republic?
Throughout the text, Plato is constructing an argument for what “justice” is through the use of the character Socrates; the work should not be taken as a reflection of the historical person, Socrates, and their opinions. However, the character Socrates has a difficult task, and it is also necessary for him to mount a defense against the “justice is the advantage of the stronger” theory proposed by Thrasymachus. Essentially, Thrasymachus suggests that the rulers, those with the most power, determine what “justice” means in ways that serves their interests.
