POLC70H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Techne, Thrasymachus, Cephalus
Document Summary
Location of book one: the location of book one is in athens. This is ironic that this is happening on a religious date, since philosophy and religion clashed back then: athens has had many major setbacks. They were plagued by sickness a few years back, and had tension with neighboring cities, so this festival was much needed (420 bce): socrates says that the concept of justice becomes easier to fulfill without. Just may emerge because of fear, like of punishment in the afterlife. Once the desires start to leave, moderation now comes back, and it is easy to be just. Temperance of bad things is very easy: socrates praises detachment as a way to be just. Detachment from wealth, and ones own works, and even ones own children may be an answer. Cephalus then leaves, and polemarchus (whose name means war leader) takes over the argument: polemarchus says that justice owes friends and enemies harm.
