PHI 2000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: The Nice Guys, Thrasymachus, Nice Guys Finish Last
Document Summary
The just and unjust man behave the same. It is desirable to have the power to harm others. If we could harm others without being harmed ourselves, it would be desirable to do so. The argument claims that we only act justly because of the bad consequences of acting. Justice as compromise depends on the idea that people don"t do good willingly unjustly: thought experiment: remove the consequences of unjust action, imagine how people would act, ring of gyges story. What would you do if you were invisible: what do you do, both indulge desire for power, end becoming tyrants. The nice guys finish last argument afraid of doing it be supremely happy. The nice guys argument uses justice 2 ways: conventional justice- justice[c] Following the rules & laws: real justice- justice[r, what is good for the stronger party, conventional injustice- injustice[c, always acting for your own advantage. Justice is what is good for the stronger party.
