January 8th
Why should I do what is ethically right?
Is an ethical life really better?

Plato:
·“The republic” Is a book that tries to figure out the answer to the question, “What is justice?” Chapter five talks about whether an ethical life is really better.
Thrasymachus:
·Presents a radical view about why an unethical life is better than an just life
·Practice justice----good reputation---leads to highest good (socrates#3)--- Trust you, cooperation from others, like you, avoid punishment.
·Justice is something we do because it leads to something else that we want.
·Justice is a compromise that only appeals to the weak, the stupid and the cowardly.
·Being unjust is easy and we like it. It is our behavior to act this way. It is natural.
·The story of “The ring of gyges” Gyges found a ring that enabled him to become invisible. It gave him the power to do what he wanted to do and get away with it.
·NY city blackout, people looted because they were also to get away with it.
·Justice has to be learned it is not natural
·Guilt: people feel guilty when they have done something that they believe is wrong.
1. The best thing is to be able to take advantage of/ exploit others and not get caught or be punished.
2. Worst thing is to be exploited, stolen from, etc. and not be able to do anything about it.
3. Justice was made to compromise justice. For example, I will agree to not exploit you if you will not exploit me.
Socrates: Three kinds of good things
1. Things that are good because they produce something else that has value EX: surgery gives relief from symptoms. (3rd rate good according to thrasymachus)
2. Things that we want just for themselves, not because they lead to something else EX: listening to music
3. Things that have both of the above qualities EX: eating food, reading a book. (Highest good according to thrasymachus)