Thrasymachus 'Pursuit Of Happiness In Socrates'

I do believe that Socrates’ assertion that the unjust man is ultimately not happy is true, and he artfully refutes the argument Thrasymachus makes that an unjust man can be happy. Thrasymachus’ main point is that an unjust manner of living results in profit and advantage at the expense of others. “Don't you know then, said he, that some cities are governed by tyrants…in others aristocracy…and is not this the thing that is strong and has the mastery in each—the ruling party?”. (338d) Thrasymachus states that “the just is something that is of advantage…of the stronger” (339b) but he feels that a ruler demanding obedience from his subordinates is, in fact, unjust. (343c) A city that enslaves other cities is unjust but has enormous power and wealth which, from Thrasymachus’ point of view, leads to happiness.

‘(Will) the city that thus shows itself superior to another…have this power without justice?” (351b) “do you think that a…group that attempted any action in common, could accomplish anything if they wronged one another?” (351c) Thrasymachus agrees that it could not and that injustice causes division and strife that prevents unity. Socrates goes on to point out that an individual member of this community that behaved in an unjust way would be divided against himself and therefore not able to achieve much. “utter rascals completely unjust are completely incapable of effective action"(352c). He continues by stating that a just man is able to accomplish things and achieves the “the right conduct of life.”