The Republic Book IV: Don't Bother Me I Don't Bother You Sophia Colbert

   After so many pages of dialogue, the definition for justice is underwhelming. All it boils down to is minding your own business. If you think about it, Socrates has a point. Most conflicts arise because people mess in other people's business. Thieves steal because they want something that does not belong to them, something that was not originally part of their own "business." People are murdered because they accidentally messed in someone else's "business." Suppose everyone kept to themselves and only acted in their own "business." No one would get mad because no one was telling them what to do, and no one would get jealous because they would only be concerned with their own affairs. If everyone did this, there would be justice.
   However, let's consider the implications of everyone keeping to their own business. People would be afraid to speak because they might interfere with someone else's business, or they would never speak to each other because there would be no need. Either everyone walks on eggshells, or everyone follows a daily mechanical routine that never changes. That's another thing. Does Socrates see change as bad? His city is too static and regulated. Can't change be just in some cases? I suppose it would depend on the kind of changes. As long as nothing messes with a person's business it is counted just.
   One last comment, Socrates would definitely promote socialism. Wealth and poverty are the bane of contentment, so we must do away with both. This city cannot be wealthy or else people will stop working. At the same time, people must be content with giving out their hard-earned money in order to make everyone equal. No one is left behind!

P.S. I commented on Will and Moriah's posts.