POLS 2490 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Thrasymachus, Glaucon, Tyrant
10 Mar 2018
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Book 1 and 2: thrasymachus defines justices as the advantage of the stronger. When this definition of applied to political power, it can be seen that someone always has strength over others. In a political sense, a ruler makes the rules and laws to their own advantage and it is unjust to disobey the laws. The laws are considered just and you must follow the laws and obey them. Justice is what is lawful and what the rulers declare. Thrasymachus says the laws are at the disadvantage of others, because the rulers make the laws for their own advantage. Thrasymachus then shifts the emphasis of the definition, saying that being completely unjust benefits you and injustice is better than justice. Rulers who are unjust are tyrants and they are the ones who benefit the most and are the happiest. Injustice makes you happy just as tyranny makes you happy. As a tyrant you can do anything you want to do.
