3/21 The Republic Assignment

Q. In your opinion, how can acting “right” (i.e. justly) help or harm the achievement of happiness? In your answer you need to first establish, in true Socratic fashion, what you mean by "right" (justice) and what you mean by happiness. What do you think Socrates would say about what you wrote and/or what do you think Thrasymachus would say?

A. I think it all depends on your personal thoughts on what is "right" or what is "wrong." When you believe what you're doing is right, then that makes you feel good, and that creates happiness. For example, for me, when I do good on a test I feel good about myself, and that makes me really happy. So it all depends on what you think. When you know you're doing wrong, it's just the exact opposite of what's right, you don't believe in yourself, and you don't feel good about yourself, which makes you gloomy, guilty, and you know you did wrong. I think Socrates would not agree with me, he would most likely question me, for example "Don't you think what's right for you, would not be right for another?" I think Thrasymachus would just give his own opinion, for example "You could only believe what's right for you, if you have the stronger power."