In my opinion, Socrates analysis of human nature is very true as it ultimately brings us his definition of justice. I agree with his theory of human nature but not hissocial-political theory. In order to understand Platos theory of human nature and hissocial-political theory, we must examine each one of them closely. Plato believed that noone is self-sufficient enough to live individually. Human beings are not created equally;some of us are born wiser then the rest and some of us are just born stronger. For thisreason, only the select few (which would be the guardians) among us are supposed toknow what is best for the society and therefore becomes the ruler of everyone else. Ourreasoning, spirit, and natural wants are all part of human nature. In book 1 of TheRepublic, Plato had several detailed discussions on the nature of justice with otherspeakers in a dialogue form. The process of discussion involves Socrates questioning,arguing against various inadequate theories that attempts to define the true meaning ofjustice. From the rich old man Cephalus, we learned that justice involves telling the truthand repaying ones debts. However, Socrates points out that this definition of justice isinadequate because it cannot account for the instances of certain circumstances. Thesimple example of returning a borrowed weapon to an insane friend who demands thereturn of his weapon, would be an instance of following the rule but would not seem tobe just. Then Polemarchus, Cephaluss son attempts to define justice by proposing thatjustice means one should pay what is owed. Not returning or refusing to return theborrowed weapon would clearly benefit ones friend. Socrates said that harming ourenemies is only likely to make them even more unjust than they already are and causethem to make more unjust choices. After that, Thrasymachus came up with his owndefinition of justice which is nothing more than the advantage of the stronger; those ...
