Socrates Economic Specialization

According to Socrates, justice is “the having and doing of one’s own” (433e-434a). While he applies this definition as every citizen doing their craft, Socrates, more importantly, is referring to every citizen remaining in their place in the city’s stratified social structure. Everyone in the city is in a position that is deemed suitable according to their abilities and potential. His prime example is the guardians who are the best of the best and, thus, the rulers of the city. Socrates justifies the political and economic specialization because this will increase efficiency and production of goods and services within the city (370c). Economic production from the craftsmen ushers the commercialization of the city (371e). While commercialization
First, doing a certain type of work over the years can become extremely boring for many individuals. If their attitude towards their work declines, the city will start noticing the decline in production and quality, which will hurt the economy. When individuals are content with the work in which they are adept, then I will concede to Socrates that specialization provides an overall benefit to the city. Yet, most people need incentives to work at their best, and in the contemporary world, that incentive is the possibility of social mobility. While he never mentions what type of moral education the craftsmen will receive, I still believe every individual has a desire to be someone great or be at a higher level. By not allowing the craftsmen the opportunity for social mobility, they will only become unhappy and disgruntled citizens. On the other hand, the guardians may desire a simpler life as a craftsman, but there is no explicit path of stepping down. As a result, I believe this policy is an act of injustice because it refuses to allow anyone to attempt to realize their wishes and