Justice and the Structure of Society

The concept of justice is a central theme in Plato's political philosophy, explored through the lens of absolute versus relative justice. Absolute justice refers to a universal notion of what is just, while relative justice is tailored to the specific social and political contexts in which it is applied. Plato seeks to harmonize these two by creating a society where each class contributes to a common good, aligned with their inherent nature as dictated by the myth of metals. This myth categorizes individuals as gold, silver, or bronze based on their qualities, underscoring the importance of each class fulfilling its role for the society to achieve true justice.