Moral and Political Ideas

Thrasymachus’ definition of justice is nothing other than the advantage of the stronger (338 c). By this he means that people in ruling positions will make laws to their own advantage. Thrasymachus explains how rulers are surely stronger and make laws to fit their own interests. Then he states that because of this justice is, the advantage of the established rule (338 e). Socrates then speaks of rulers of crafts such as a ships’ captain or a …

…most beautiful of constitutions (557 c). In a democracy there is no requirement to rule or to be ruled when or if you don’t want to. He seems to disagree with this as well as not having to be a juror (557 c). In my eyes democracy is the best form of government for these very reasons. All together Socrates’ account of democracy mirrors how and why our country, the United States of America was founded.