THE REPUBLIC OF PLATO - Studyplace

54 CHAPTER VI [II. 367
Thrasymachus assumed to be purely egoistic impulses to unlimited
self-assertion. Men are not born self-sufficient or all alike; hence
an organized society in which they are interdependent and specialize
according to innate aptitudes is, according to Plato, both nat-­
ural and advantageous to all the individuals.
In this chapter society is considered merely as an economic structure
providing for the lowest of needs, a healthy animal existence.
This aspect is isolated by abstraction from the higher elements of
civilization and culture that will soon be added. The purpose is to
establish the principle of specialization or division of labour as dictated
by Nature. This will turn out to be the form that justice takes
on this lowest economic level.
Nothing is said here about slfltles, perhaps because they would
first a!'Pear in the luxurious state of the next chapter. In any case
the slaves (who at Athens made up more than a third of the population)
were not citizens and so formed no part of the state. The
institution was universally recognized and Plato seems to assume
that it will continue (for instance at 469 C, p. 172).
I WAS delighted with these speeches from Glaucon and Adeimantus,
whose gifts I had always admired. How right, I exclaimed, was
Glaucon's lover to begin that poem of his on your exploits at the
battle of Megara by describing you two as the
sons divine
Of Ariston's noble line!
Like father, like sons: there must indeed be some divine quality
in your nature, if you can plead the cause of injustice so doquently
and still not be convinced yoursdves that it is better than justice.
That you are not really convinced I am sure from all I know of
your dispositions, though your words might well have left me in
doubt. But the more I trust you, the harder I find it to reply. How
can I come to the rescue I have no faith in my own powers, when
I remember that you were not satisfied with the proof I thought I
had given to Thrasymachus that it is better to be just. And yet I
cannot stand by and hear justice reviled without lifting a finger.
I am afraid to commit a sin by holding aloof while I have breath