Plato Justice

Plato’s Republic, is a classic philosophical novel that covers many points and topics regarding philosophy, one of the main points includes justice. In this essay I will be answering the question of whether justice in the soul is choice worthy for its own sake. While this topic is quite complex, I will use a mixture of personal analysis as well as evidence from the book itself to assert that justice in the soul is the best choice for its own sake. In the following paragraphs I will discuss what justice in the soul is, why justice in the soul is choice worthy and lastly to what extent this choice entails.
Justice in the soul is not an easily understood concept. The definition of justice according to Socrates builds upon itself throughout the
Using the definition of justice in the soul as well as details from the text, I believe that Socrates did find success in proving his point that excellence in being happy and being just is the same. Going further into my earlier point about the correlation between justice and happiness, the first evidence of his assertions is noticed in book one. Starting in section 343A, Socrates and Thrasymachus argue about the benefits of injustice. Thrasymachus continually lists the benefits of being unjust. However, Socrates states that although there are many benefits to injustice, he is not persuaded by them. Socrates then goes on to talk about functions of both crafts and people and how being just or unjust creates wildly different scenarios. For example, if a craftsman does not focus on his craft and does not do his best work every time, he will no longer be excellent which makes him unjust. Near the end of book one, in section 354A, line 5, Socrates boldly claims that, "a just person is happy and an unjust one wretched." Thrasymachus agrees to this claim which leads Socrates to state that, "Injustice is never more profitable than justice."(354A, lines 8&9). Just based upon these claims, one can assume that it is logical that being just creates happiness. An Important detail to note is his
I believe that he was very successful in proving that we all have justice in the soul and that being just is just as good as being excellent at being human and happy, and I also believe that his assertions are something that can be taken to heart. While I do agree that injustice does have benefits, I also believe that justice outweighs those benefits. Looking at justice from further back, one must realize that the effects of choosing to be just will not immediately show themselves. By being unjust you may experience immediate benefits, but overall being just is better. As Socrates explains throughout the first four books, justice is an essential piece of the formula for happiness. By being just and having virtue in what you do, you live better and live happier. Simply speaking from a logical standpoint, this makes sense. If we do the right thing and do everything to the best of our ability, then life becomes much easier and less stressful. If we are constantly trying to take advantage of people and make massive amounts of money, we may be happy for the moment. Although over time all we have to show our friends and family are material goods rather than experiences which truly give us joy and happiness. Socrates speaks on this mainly in book one and four where he talks about how money can corrupt us. If the wrong people get too much money or make too little, it upsets the balance of our souls. His example