PLATONIC JUSTICE:
According to Plato, justice is a passion that is inherent in the heart of every citizen and with the help of which every citizen concentrates on his duties and does not interfere in the affairs of others.
In his own words,
"The will to concentrate on one's own sphere of
duty, and not to meddle with the sphere of others; and its habitation,
therefore, it is in the heart of every citizen who does his duty in his
appointed place."
Plato sees justice in a moral rather than a legal context
and associates with it both individual and social aspects. He wanted every
department of an ideal country to perform its assigned duties and not interfere
in the duties of others nor should he exceed his assigned scope of duties. From
the social point of view, the meaning of justice is that every section of the
society should perform its duties and not interfere in the affairs of others.
Characteristics
of Plato's Theory of Justice:
The theory of justice by Plato has following characteristics:
i:- Every member of the society should fulfill his duties
and not interfere in the affairs of others.
ii:- All individuals consider themselves a part of
society. In this way, the feeling of loneliness will be reduced and justice
will be provided.
iii:- Natural principles are necessary to achieve
justice.
iv:- According to Plato, all people should fulfill their
duties in a society based on the principles of mutual aid. This behavior
increases love.
v:- Plato's theory of justice refers to all
responsibilities of an individual, not just his legal responsibilities.
vi:- Plato's theory of justice was based on the
principles of mutual cooperation and conformity.
vii:- The masses cannot be examined as collective or
individual but rather as different parts of the same body.
Criticism of Plato's Theory of Justice:
Plato's theory of justice is criticized for the following reasons:
1:- Geographical distribution of the vast empire:
Plato has advised to divide the vast empire into
different parts to achieve justice, which is extremely wrong. It is not wise to
divide the country into pieces to achieve justice. This weakens the center and
class problems may arise.
2:- Skill of the
individual in a task:
In Plato's view, every individual is born for a specific
task and he cannot do another. In practical this has been proved wrong. As it
can be seen often that some people perform different tasks very pleasantly.
Some people join army as a profession but they are the best writers and artists
too. Similarly, some employees are also great athletes.
3:- Theory of Non-Interference:
Plato's theory of non-interference is not viable because
the state nevertheless has the right to monitor the working of various classes
and issue necessary instructions to them. If they do wrong, it should also
punish them.
4:- Philosopher King:
According to Plato only the Philosopher King has the
right to rule. It is not only against natural justice but it establishes the
dictatorship of a certain class in the society. People should have the right to
choose their own rulers. The one who they want as their ruler must be chosen
through the votes of majority.
5:- Monopoly of political power:
In Plato's theory of justice, all power rests with the
philosophical class or group. From which moral degeneracy, nepotism and corruption
is promoted in the state.
6:- Immoveable and inflexible:
Plato's theory of justice is immoveable and inflexible.
It is unrealistic and wrong to entrust an individual with only one task in
life.
7:- Evolution of only one element:
Plato allows the complete development of only one of the
three elements of the individual, craving, insight and passion, and
he averts the development of the rest of elements. And
because of this human personality remains incomplete.
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