Aristotles Republic

Socrates trial is the product of direct democracy. Socrates was against direct democracy and was in search of the ideal city- state. In 4th and 5th century b.c direct democracy was the form of government used in Athens. Socrates did not agree with this form of government. He was in search of an ideal government. To understand why Socrates did not agree with this form of government we must understand its origin. The word democracy comes from two Greek words: a noun, demos which means ''people'' and a verb, kratein, which means ''to rule,'' Its basic meaning is ''government by the people" or "rule by the ruled.''

Socrates quest for justice was written in the form of a dialogue by his student Plato, in Plato’s Republic. Plato believed the Athenian democracy was on the verge of ruin and was responsible for Socrate�

Socrates ideal city -state consists of three classes of people: rulers (philosophers), guardians, and commoners. Socrates uses the fable of the three medals to explain the class system. Rulers are gold, guardians are silver, and commoners are bronze.

Thrasymachus is a saphist. Saphist have relative point of views. Thrasymachus claims that justice or right conduct is the advantage of the stronger, he says “ might makes right”. He believes that whoever is in power has the right to make rules. Socrates replies with the doctor analogy, “ A doctor makes decisions based on what is best for the patient. Those in power should not be making choices based on what is best for them, but what is best for the whole community.”

What is Justice? This is the question that Socrates wanted to find an answer to. According to the American Heritage Dictionary justice is the quality of being just and fair; the principle of moral rightness; conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness. It’s easy for me to open up a book and read the definition of justice. But Socrates did not do that. Instead he sought after it. He went and asked friends of his the question: What is justice?

In order to get to Socrates ideal city state reforms are needed. The four reforms that Plato feels are needed are:

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