Summary of Plato's Republic Book 2

Running head : SUMMARY OF PLATO’S REPUBLIC BOOK 2
SUMMARY OF PLATO’S REPUBLIC BOOK 2
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1
SUMMARY OF PLATO’S REPUBLIC BOOK 2
In the book two of Republic written by Plato, we see that Socrates is content with his
decision of justice but others are not. Glaucon, one of Plato’s friend tells him about their
dissatisfaction with his conclusion. Glaucon further states that all the goods and material wealth
can be identified in three broad categories: items desired by men for their purpose, like physical
training and treatment of medicines. Secondly, items desired by men for the sake of their
personal liking, like joy. The third requirement is the desires that denote personal liking as well
as knowledge that is received from sources such as gaining knowledge or sight as well as health.
It is desired by Glaucon that Socrates can prove that justice is a thing of requirement and it
perceives to one of the highest class of items that are required: those desired both for their own
sake and for their consequences (Jowett,2000). Glaucon points out that everyone desires justice
because they are scared of injustice not for the sake that it should be practiced. Plato firmly
believes that, “For a young person cannot judge what is allegorical and what is literal; anything
that he receives into his mind at that age is likely to become indelible and unalterable; and
therefore it is most important that the tales which the young first hear should be models of
virtuous thoughts.”
Glaucon further makes a heartfelt request for supplicating the legend belonging to the
ring of Gyges. He states that most people link justice with "the arduous things that ought to be
shunned for themselves but pursued for profit and a reputation based on appearance." The
legend is about a man with a ring, which possesses the ability to make anyone invisible. Glaucon
says that anyone in possession of this ring can behave wrongfully and do whatever they want
without having the fear of injustice. Glaucon wants to prove that in this world people are just
because they are scared to face the consequences of their wrongdoings. He says that being unjust
is rational for every man and further says that “the unjust man enjoys life better than the just".