Persuasion By Peopl Socrates-Just Or Unjust?

Plato adopted persuasion by argument to provide an explanation about the societal issues. Therefore, he believes that proper steps have to be taken in order to persuade other groups. Firstly, Socrates strives to use three arguments to support just life in that a just man is good and wise while the unjust person is bad and ignorant. Injustice produces disharmony preventing effective actions, while justice helps one to live a much happier life. It shows that one will choose to be just rather than unjust due to the outcomes that result from both just and unjust behaviors. Plato depicts that evil is not the basis of strength, but of dissolution and discord.
When Socrates is asked to defend justice on its own, but not for the reputation that it brings, he suggests that justice should be found in the city before starting to use the analogy of finding it in an individual. He then uses an example of a just city that aims at satisfying the basic human wants. Some citizens enter into political welfare as no one is independent. Nevertheless,
people have natural abilities that can be used to meet the needs of all individuals. Conversely, cities that permit luxury will need an army to provide security and should be educated to be gentle on citizens but harsh on the enemies. It will help to enlighten them since education opens their mind. Moreover, the gods should always be regarded to be good, unchanging, and always refrain from deception and lies.
Socrates identifies the soul to be composed of three distinct parts that have essential functions. These include the rational, appetitive, and spirited parts. The rational element assists with ideas, while the spirited part helps in experiencing the sentiments and the appetitive part to follow the wishes of the body. Therefore, all the three have to function jointly to make one complete. The same applies to justice, which requires a balance of the three parts while injustice implies an imbalance in the three parts. Plato tries to give the impression that all participants have to contribute to the justice process to ensure that individuals do not behave in an unjust manner. For instance, there are unjust political regimes that made the citizens suffer, while the leaders pursued their personal interests.
Socrates goes ahead to develop an analogy of the cave, which explains the philosopher’s education from inexperience to the acquaintance of the Forms. Plato demonstrates that education is the factor that can turn the soul from the shadows as well as visible objects to the genuine understanding of the forms. Those who have gained education do not need to be persuaded further since they only contemplate about the forms and should go ahead to enlighten others. Socrates considers education to be the only means to make people understand the reasons why injustice should not be accepted in the society. Besides, it is simpler to persuade those who are educated since they understand the concepts quickly. Therefore, Socrates suggests that even the political leaders should be educated for them to understand the best ways to serve their citizens.
Socrates has the perception that deviant regime may arise that emphasizes on the pursuit of honor instead of justice and wisdom.
Moreover, leaders will be interested in wealth rather than respect. It will lead to injustice, as the poor will be left with nothing to depend on leading to high crime rates. The appetitive part of the leaders will dominate their soul as they amass wealth regardless of their impacts on the poor. It may anger the oppressed and make them revolt against their oppressors. Furthermore, tyranny may arise from democracy, as people desire for freedom to do what they feel is right. It can lead to high levels of insecurity forcing the tyrant to employ mercenaries to provide security. The situation would lead to unfavorable living conditions of the citizens more so the poor who may not have the privilege of hiring guards. It will be unjust to have the poor subjected to hardships while the leaders have comfortable
lives.
Socrates strives to explain that the products of imitation cannot be regarded to be the truth. For instance, the painters and poets can be regarded as imitators who have no knowledge of the truth. Therefore, one can only be liberated by understanding the implications of the actions. Socrates states that if poets were to know the truth, then they would struggle not to remain as poets, but would want to accomplish great things. Therefore, they are not in a position to teach people the societal virtue since they only imitate its image. Plato desired to bring out the idea that people should not only copy the activities of others but should be real inventors. It will help them become just and do it to their best level.
In conclusion, Plato understands that the problem of persuasion can be challenging, but adopts procedural means of overcoming the issue. He succeeds in his attempt to develop a philosophy of persuasion. The examples that Plato uses to compare justice and injustice are convincing since they are practical. Plato emphasizes the need for education, which offers enlightenment to many people. Moreover, the individual desires should not be highly valued than the good of the community.