At Republic 433a Socrates says that justice in the city requires “that each person must practice one of the pursuits in the city, the one for which he is naturally best suited” and that “justice’ is “doing one’s own work and not meddling with what is not one’s own.” Such principles seem to go counter to freedom of occupational choice, which is an ideal shared both in ancient and modern democracies. Later, in Book VIII, and more specifically at Republic 557a-561e, Plato develops a critical account of the democratic constitution and corresponding democratic individual, one that builds on the theory of justice developed in the previously referenced passage. Democracy gives each person “an equal share in the constitution and the ruling offices” and for the most part assigns political positions “by lot” (Republic, 557a). It grants citizens freedoms such as the freedom of speech and freedom to live as one pleases. There is no requirement in a democracy that one take the role of a ruler, even if one is capable of doing so. It tolerates those who enter public life even if they lack education, “assigning a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike.” (558c)
(Q1) Explain what Plato’s principle of social justice means and what argument or arguments he presents in support of it. Say further what you make of those arguments and address what, if anything, he seems to be overlooking. In answering these questions, you will need to consider what Socrates says earlier in the “founding of the city” at 369e-370c. Other passages where the principle of social justice is discussed are 374a-d, 423d, and 433d.
(Q2) Explain Plato’s account of the democratic individual at Republic 558c-561e. Say further what difficulties you find with that account
