Thrasymachus Definition Of Justice

Interpretation and Evaluation of Thrasymachus’ definition of justice In Plato’s Republic I, a dialogue between Socrates and Thrasymachus ensues. They are arguing about justice, and at one point Thrasymachus gives his own definition of justice. Thrasymachus states, “I say that justice is nothing other than the advantage of the stronger” (338c). It is important to note that Thrasymachus is not talking about who is physically stronger, this is evident from the text when Socrates questions him about it. Socrates inquires, “it is to [a pancratist’s] advantage to eat beef to build up his physical strength; therefore, this food is also advantageous and just for us who are weaker than he is?” (338d).
Thrasymachus is disgusted by Socrates absurd

This…is what I say justice is… the advantage of the established rule…the advantage of the stronger (338e).
The above quote summarizes Thrasymachus definition of justice. Thrasymachus hold that justice is the advantage of the stronger, which is to say that justice is just a moral system that has been developed by those who govern in a specific location. In other words, justice is specific to region, and is dependent on who governs. This is where Thrasymachus definition of just falls apart. If justice is a moral system specific to a certain territory, then many different moral systems would be allowed to propagate completely independent of one another. If this is true it means that morality and all the systems derives from it, are wholly subjective. Thrasymachus has provided a definition of justice that has torn itself apart. If justice is a subjective, then anyone can decide what it is on a whim, and the efforts to define what justice is become useless. In other words, justice cannot be reasonably defined since it is always changing, and depending on location, are completely different. Not to mention that there can be multiple justice systems that are independent of each other, while operating at the same time. Furthermore, one could define a justice system in contradiction