Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Thrasymachus and Justice in Plato's Political Philosophy Research Paper

Thrasymachus and Justice in Plato's Political Philosophy - Research Paper Example Distinguished sophist of ancient Greece Thrasymachus has elucidated the term justice while entering into discussion on the same topic with great philosopher Socrates, which has been elaborated by Socrates’ renowned disciple Plato in his Republic. Book I of the Republic encompasses the debate between Thrasymachus and Socrates, where the former makes two assertions about justice. At first, he declares the notion as mere the ‘advantage of the strong over the weak’; and secondly he views justice as ‘submitting to the prevailing statutes of the state law.’ (Hourani, 111) The powerful governments, according to Thrasymachus, strive to implement their policies by dint of the force they enjoy in comparison with the weaker states; consequently, the policy is expected to be observed and followed by all the weak nations. As a result, it becomes the law, which is unconditionally and unanimously imitated by all. Consequently, it is equally beneficial for the weaker due to the very reality that it would be obeyed by all the weak without discrimination, and hence will become a law for all individuals. The sophist also argues that justice imposes unnecessary restrains on the human desires, and thus it does not turn out to be advantageous for the majority of the people in general. Hence, on the one side, Thrasymachus defines justice as the exploitation of the weak individual(s) or stratum at the hands of the powerful; and on the other side, he declares it as the abiding of the uniform law, which looks at everyone on the foundations of equality and impartiality. Thus, stronger group signifies the elite or ruling stratum of society, while the weak can be compared to the masses at large. Since the stronger stratum not only articulates the rules and laws, but also abides the same rules it has devised for all, these statutes of law are supportive for the protection of the rights of the weaker too. Somehow, Socrates points out contradiction in the very definition of justice Thrasymachus has developed. Consequently, it invites criticism from Socrates because of the contradiction it contains in its very scope. Socrates, during his cross examination of the very arguments made by Thrasymachus, vehemently refutes the validity of his viewpoint. He is of the opinion that since the individuals, even from the strong and ruling classes, are humans, and hence can make mistakes, they cannot be expected to devise error free laws, policies and strategies. On the other hand, even their most sincere efforts can maintain flaws and mistakes while devising the laws; so these statutes, in the form of advantages and privileges for the stronger, are unable to present the real picture of justice in their nature and scope. Somehow, Thrasymachus counters Socrates’ objection by stating that the rulers are free from making errors or committing mistakes till they are at the helm of the power. And even if they commit they same, there is no one to chal lenge or point out their mistakes till they are enjoying the position of rulers. In other words, the weaker strata do not have the power to put even the incorrect rules into jeopardy. Consequently, they remain as the laws of the country till the individuals, introducing the same, are in the power. (Bloom, 25) Being one of the greatest logicians the world has ever produced, Socrates could not submit to the Thrasymachus’ claim that rules and laws are devised for the benefit of the rulers only. On the other hand, he clarifies his objection with the example that the artwork is created for the consumers and public, and not for the use of the artisan. Similarly, the shopkeeper involves into trade and merchandise by bringing commodities for the people. It is therefore, justice carries advantages for the common man at first, and hence cannot be attributed to the dominant political group only. Socrates also cites the professional abilities and proficiencies of the

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Migration in America Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Migration in America - Research Paper Example Native American Migrations Although we started the topic with that of immigrant population, when considering the influential ethnic groups in the country it is only right to start with the natives of the country itself, the American Indians. In the early nineteenth century the native tribes of America were mostly concentrated in the agriculturally rich lands down south, west of the Mississippi river. As the United States starting growing in population and economic status, many of the white European settlers started moving towards the south in search of land and abundance. The native settlers proved an obstacle to the white dominion of the land and subsequently between the years 1814 to the 1824, the native settlers were driven out of their homes. As a result of various treaties that were signed between the United States Government and the natives, they had to forfeit their ownership of their native lands, by virtue of the â€Å"right of occupancy† policy adopted by the then Un ited States Government and, settle for lands further west. Some left willingly as a means of buying peace while other tribes fought for their freedom and stayed back in their lands. Subsequently after many wars the Indians spread their tribes in faraway lands and forced to sell themselves to slavery. Today the Native American tribes live in government-sponsored reservations governed by their respective tribal heads and have undergone some urbanization. This migration is however not one effected by want for better economic conditions but is a forced migration. Therefore from a relative viewpoint, it has not effected much economic growth since the Native Americans still continue to be a minority population in the country. African American Migrations The history of slavery in America started in the year 1808 and brought many of African ethnicity from different regions across the Atlantic as slaves to places like Oklahoma and the agrarian states down south of the Mississippi. Some other s who escaped slavery moved to other parts along the coast. The slaves formed small communities and made their homes near their wealthy white masters, as they did not have any other means of survival. After the civil war and the abolition of slavery however the African American community started growing roots down south. Racial tension and discrimination in a white dominated society gave vent to the Great Migration between the years 1810 to 1830. The oppressed slaves fled from their homes in search of freedom as well as livelihood in other parts in the Midwest like Chicago, North East like New York and New Jersey and far West like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Subsequent migrations in 1840 saw the African American population spreading themselves to other parts of the country. However most of the African American population still longed for their homes down. Thus when the Civil Rights Act was passed, most African Americans migrated back to their homes with dreams of better economic and social conditions. The result of the first migrations saw great urbanization amongst the African Americans and in conditions which were less if not completely non-discriminatory. However with the new economic climate there is a trend of reverse migration back to south in search of lower cost of living and less pressures of urban life. The migratory pattern of the African American population is therefore driven by cultural and economic condition