Plato's Views on Justice
...ppetite. An individual is considered “just” when each element performs its designed function without interfering with the others. Reason should guide the soul with wisdom and consideration; spirit will then assist in the rule of reason. This is saying that spirit is also important in determining what is just and reasonable. Reason and Spirit are then brought together by training both the mind and body. In order for Spirit and Reason to function appropriately together, the individual must train him or herself to adopt that way of think both mentally and physically. Both Reason and Spirit are in control of the appetites that form a man’s soul, which means that they are responsible for controlling the appetites which seek “unjust” pleasure. When these appetites repress reason and spirit there is injustice. When Reason, Spirit, and Appetite work together so that reason can rule, there is justice within the individual. Beyond justice in the individual there is justice in society. Like there were three elements in human nature (Reason, Spirit, and Appetite), there are three classes that make up society. There is the Philosopher class or ruling class which is the delegate of reason. There is the Auxiliary class which is made up of warriors and defenders of the country that is primarily the representative of spirit. Finally there is the Appetitives, which is the lowest class that is made up of farmers, artisans, workers, and other low wage citizens. The Appetitive class represents the appetite instinct of society. In order for society to be just and be in harmony, each social class must focus itself on the way of life assigned to it. In this way justice is seen in two ways, in terms of the individual and the society. On the individual level justice is a human virtue that must be followed in order to be moral and good, in society justice is a social consciousness that makes society moral and good. In order for justice to be prevalent in society, those that make up society must practice non-interference. By this I mean that every citizen should fulfill his/her duties and not interfere with those of others. The fulfillment of the duty by the appropriate citizen should not be done for him/her, rather for the well being for society as a whole. If these rules are followed then society will profit. At this day in age justice can be viewed quite differently. There are many more laws and limitations that hold together society today than there were in Ancient Greece. However the idea of one being “just” both for the good of the individual and society is still relevant. Social contracts are good example of this. Social contracts are the agreement by a citizen honor his/her responsibilities under the terms of the contract, for example pay taxes, conform to laws, vote, volunteer, and donate money to charity. All of these things are expected to be done by ...