The Art of Justice

Socrates was arguing with his son about what it means to pay back debts. He says justice is a political pretext designed to justify the interests of the powerful. Rulers are like shepherds who kill and eat their flocks, he writes. The art of governance must have its own intrinsic aim apart from any profit one might also get from it,. And what can this be other than the establishment of social justice? Socrates suggests that those who hold political office will do so not for gain, but rather for honor.