The Plato’s Republic provides an opportunity for a succinct evaluation of the Socratic method of questioning when the great philosopher engages other thinkers like Thrasymachus, Adeimantus, and Glaucon. The purpose of the essay is to explain why Plato disassociates Socrates from Sophists and Plato's definition of justice.
Plato puts three explanations for his view that Socrates and the Sophists are different. First, Plato states that the Sophists view on the relativism of morality differs from those of Socrates. According to Thrasymachus, one of the members of the Sophist movement, the concept of relativism implies that there is no moral behavior acceptable to all the Athens or a country’s citizens because everyone has the freedom of choosing what is wrong or right. The sophists further argue that “truth” is a relative term which cannot be pegged on one’s knowledge because a mere belief can also amount to truth. However, Plato points out that Socrates believes in absolutism in regards to the “truth” and morality because, according to o the philosopher, moral behavior is based on truth which can only be derived from knowledge (Waterfield, 204). Using the allegory of the cave (Peterson, 275), Plato explains the Socrates views on how Sophists appeal to the general public by spreading uninformed teachings. For example, Socrates believes that the sun in the allegory is like knowledge which enlightens one to know what is good and what is wrong. Secondly, Plato believes that Socrates and Sophists disagree on the theme of language and reality. Even though Sophists prefer to promote immoral language and a shift from the traditions by allowing or teaching the public to follow what they believe in, Socrates engages the youths and close friends like Glaucon in an enlightening conversation to provoke their thinking in realizing the importance of respecting the laws of Athens and avoiding popular opinions based on beliefs and not knowledge. For example, Plato records that Protagoras of Abdera charges a fee for his lectures while Socrates offers constant teachings aimed at strengthening morality at zero fees. Plato believes that Socrates sacrifice to pay the ultimate price of death is not only influenced by his virtues but also respect to the laws. For example, Crito offers to sneak Socrates out of jail, but the philosopher declines the offer arguing that his escape would be a bad example to the youths of the Athens (Waterfield, 345). Finally, Plato disassociates Socrates and Sophists based on their different interpretations of the theme of nature and convention. Even though the sophists like Antiphon and Prodicus argue that the things considered just conflict nature and that justice should be used by one when taking advantage of a situation like bending laws to benefit the politicians, Socrates believes that justice begins from the soul and one ought to do what brings him or her internal peace. Considering that Socrates’ explanation leaves lacuna which can be exploited by other philosophers, Plato explains a more advanced meaning of justice. Plato’s idea of justice is catalyzed by the social evils of individualism and meddlesomeness which he believes are responsible for the poisoning of his mentor, Socrates. Plato believes, just like Socrates, that justice is a human virtue which comes from the soul. According to Plato, a just action is one that leaves one self-consistent, socially conscious, internally peaceful and good in respecting a society's moral standards (Waterfield, 195).
Conclusion
Plato is a close student of Socrates who borrows many ideas from the great philosopher. In his book, the Republic, Plato does not only disassociate Socrates from the Sophists like Thrasymachus but also explain his idea of justice.
Works Cited
Peterson, Valerie V. "Plato's Allegory of the Cave: literacy and "the good." Review of Communication 17.4 (2017): 273-287
Waterfield, Robin, ed. Republic. OUP Oxford, 2008.
