How does Socrates respond to Thrasymachus?

When Thrasymachus first tells Socrates that justice is “the advantage of the stronger (Plato 1991, 338c),” Socrates responds that, according to this argument, everyone should eat beef if this is what is good for the strongest wrestler. Thrasymachus bursts out, “You are disgusting, Socrates.

What is Socrates critique of Thrasymachus?

Thrasymachus says that a ruler cannot make mistakes. Thrasymachus’ argument is that might makes right. But Socrates rebuts this argument by demonstrating that, as a ruler, the ruler’s chief interest ought to be the interests of his subjects, just as a physician’s interest ought to be the welfare of his patient.

Is Plato’s Republic about Socrates?

Since the mid-nineteenth century, the Republic has been Plato’s most famous and widely read dialogue. As in most other Platonic dialogues the main character is Socrates. It is generally accepted that the Republic belongs to the dialogues of Plato’s middle period.

Why does Thrasymachus become frustrated with Socrates?

The dispute between Socrates and Thrasymachus centers around two major points of disagreement : ( i ) what the nature or essential quality of justice is, and (2) whether the just or the unjust life is the best (in the sense of most profitable) life for men to live. Socrates’ arguments are defective.

What do Plato and Thrasymachus disagree on?

Book One of Plato’s Republic features a disagreement between Socrates and Thrasymachus about the nature of justice. The disaccord between their views of the subject is extremely pronounced, but there are certain underlying agreements which guide the course of the debate.

What did Thrasymachus believe in?

Thrasymachus believes that justice means obedience to the laws. (So G.F. Hourani, Phronesis VII (1962), 110-120.) ‘ thesis is that ‘a man who [has] the strength to get away with injustice [has] reason to follow this as the best way of life’.)

What do Socrates and Thrasymachus agree on?

Thrasymachus offers his definition of justice in a similar vein. Though Socrates and Thrasymachus agree that justice is beneficial, they disagree about whom it benefits. Socrates thinks that justice, like any character virtue, benefits its possessor: my being just makes my life better.

What about someone who believes in beautiful things but doesn’t believe in the beautiful itself?

What about someone who believes in beautiful things but doesn’t believe in the beautiful itself and isn’t able to follow anyone who could lead him to the knowledge of it? Don’t you think he is living in a dream rather than a wakened state?

What did Socrates say to Thrasymachus about justice?

Socrates points out that there is some incoherence in the idea of harming people through justice. All this serves as an introduction to Thrasymachus, the Sophist. We have seen, through Socrates’s cross-examination of Polemarchus and Cephalus, that the popular thinking on justice is unsatisfactory.

How did Polemarchus come to the defense of Socrates?

Polemarchus comes to the defense of Socrates and Cleitophon briefly comes to the defense of Thrasymachus. When the question comes up whether or not the ruler can set down any fallible laws or unjust laws, Thrasymachus claims that any ruler who establishes fallible or unjust laws is not a ruler in the true sense.

Who was Thrasymachus and what was his name?

Thrasymachus, true to his name, breaches the perimeter of the dialogue with all the abandon of some sort of comic glorious soldier ( miles gloriosus ), and Socrates gleefully skewers this rash fighter.

Why did Socrates call Thrasymachus a ” pilot “?

The circumstance that he sails in the ship is not to be taken into account; neither is he to be called a sailor; the name pilot by which he is distinguished has nothing to do with sailing, but is significant of his skill and of his authority over the sailors. Very true, he said. Now, I said, every art has an interest? Certainly.