Such interference and exchange of social positions and tools, or the attempt to combine all these forms of work in the same person, would be fatal to the commonwealth."".
"And, conversely, let us repeat that when each order "tradesman, Auxiliary, Guardian "keeps to its own proper business in the commonwealth and does its own work, that is justice and what makes a just society."" (R, p. 128-129) .
Plato's conceptions of justice are very specific. He understands that an authentically just polis requires a separation of duty. Everyone has a certain responsibility to their social order, and when they proceed outside of the framework of their communal obligations, this causes the overall community to become unjust. With this Plato establishes how the Athenian democracy continuously exhibits injustice. When not only is every citizen invited, but they also are encouraged to participate in the decision making process to arbitrate what is good for their state. In Plato's eyes this is detrimental to the polis and it is appealing to the irrational nature of man to put forth their own interest disguised as the common aggregate interest of the general public. .
" but the god who fashioned you mixed gold in the composition of those among you who are fit to rule, so that they are of the most precious quality; and he put silver in the Auxiliaries, and iron and brass in the farmers and craftsmen."" (R, p. 106-107).
Plato is aware that men have been positioned in a natural hierarchy where their political standing is already predetermined. Where the ability to decide on the welfare of the state is conditioned on the composition of the soul. Plato feels that only the golden souls can do what is just for the state, because they are the only ones that have access to the "Good,"" which is the core of Plato's utopian society. The total balance of justice is held up by the "Good,"" and the infinite knowledge that can be accessed from it.
