Justice as the Virtue of the State: A Classical Inquiry

By Chloe Fitzgerald

Summary: The Indispensable Virtue of the Polis

For many classical thinkers, particularly Plato and Aristotle, Justice was not merely one virtue among many, but the foundational and overarching virtue that defined a well-ordered State. It was the harmonious functioning of all its parts, ensuring each element performed its proper role for the common good, thereby averting the pitfalls of vice. This perspective posits that a state's legitimacy and success hinge on its commitment to justice, which manifests through its laws and the character of its citizens.

Introduction: The State's Moral Compass

The question of what constitutes a "good" state has preoccupied philosophers for millennia. While modern political theory often focuses on rights, liberties, and economic structures, ancient Greek philosophy, particularly as documented in the Great Books of the Western World, frequently turned to the concept of virtue – not just for individuals, but for the collective entity of the State itself. Central to this classical understanding was the idea that Justice served as the supreme virtue of the political community, guiding its purpose and ensuring its stability against the corrosive forces of vice.

Plato's Republic: Justice as Functional Harmony

In Plato's seminal work, The Republic, Justice is meticulously explored as both an individual and a civic virtue. Plato argues that a just individual mirrors a just State (or polis). Just as a virtuous soul achieves harmony when reason, spirit, and appetite each perform their proper functions, so too does a just State thrive when its constituent parts operate in their designated roles without interference.

Plato identifies three classes within the ideal State, each possessing a primary virtue:

  • Guardians (Rulers): Possess wisdom, guiding the state with knowledge and foresight.
  • Auxiliaries (Soldiers): Exhibit courage, defending the state and upholding its principles.
  • Producers (Workers/Artisans): Demonstrate temperance or moderation, providing for the material needs of the state.

Justice, in this schema, is the overarching virtue that arises when these three classes each perform their specific duties and do not meddle in the affairs of others. It is the principle of "doing one's own business" (Plato, Republic, Book IV). Any deviation from this, where one class usurps the role of another or fails in its duty, leads to injustice – a form of vice that corrupts the State and leads to discord and instability.

Aristotle's Politics: Law and the Common Good

Aristotle, while differing from Plato in his approach, also places Justice at the heart of the State. In his Politics and Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle views the polis as the highest form of human association, existing for the sake of the "good life." For Aristotle, Justice is often understood in two primary forms:

  1. Distributive Justice: Concerns the fair allocation of honors, wealth, and other goods based on merit.
  2. Corrective Justice: Aims to rectify wrongs and restore balance in transactions, whether voluntary (contracts) or involuntary (crimes).

Aristotle emphasizes the critical role of Law in upholding Justice. He argues that Law is "reason unaffected by desire" and that the rule of Law is preferable to the rule of any individual, however wise. A just State is one where laws are crafted to promote the common good and cultivate virtue among its citizens. When laws deviate from this purpose, serving only the interests of a select few or promoting vice, the State itself becomes unjust.

(Image: A detailed classical Greek fresco depicting allegorical figures of "Justice" (Themis or Dike) holding scales and a sword, flanked by figures representing different societal classes or virtues like wisdom and courage, all within an architectural setting reminiscent of an ancient polis.)

The Indispensable Role of Law

Both Plato and Aristotle, despite their distinct philosophical methodologies, converge on the idea that Law is the practical manifestation of Justice within the State. Laws are the mechanisms by which a society codifies its understanding of right and wrong, virtue and vice.

Consider the following comparison:

Feature Just State Vicious/Unjust State
Guiding Principle Justice, Common Good Self-interest, Tyranny, Factionalism
Role of Law Upholds virtue, ensures fairness, promotes order Serves powerful, suppresses dissent, breeds inequality
Citizenry Cultivates civic virtue, participates responsibly Prone to corruption, discord, apathy
Stability Harmonious, resilient, enduring Prone to revolution, decay, oppression

When laws are just, they foster a society where citizens are encouraged to act virtuously, knowing that their rights are protected and their contributions are valued. Conversely, laws that are unjust or are unequally applied lead to resentment, social breakdown, and the proliferation of vice.

Virtue and Vice in Statecraft

The very structure and governance of a State can be seen through the lens of virtue and vice. A State exhibiting justice is one where:

  • Rulers possess wisdom: Making decisions for the benefit of all, not personal gain.
  • Citizens are courageous: Willing to defend the state and its principles.
  • All members are temperate: Exercising self-control and adhering to their roles.

Conversely, a State plagued by vice might manifest as:

  • Tyranny: Characterized by the vice of unchecked power and self-interest.
  • Oligarchy: Dominated by the vice of insatiable greed and wealth accumulation.
  • Democracy (in its degenerate form, as feared by Plato): Prone to the vice of excessive freedom leading to anarchy and mob rule.

For these classical philosophers, the health of the State was intrinsically linked to its ethical foundation. A State that prioritizes Justice as its guiding virtue is one that endures and provides the conditions for its citizens to flourish.

Conclusion: An Enduring Ideal

The classical notion of Justice as the paramount virtue of the State offers a profound and enduring perspective on political philosophy. From Plato's ideal polis where each part performs its function, to Aristotle's emphasis on Law serving the common good, the message is clear: a State without Justice is merely a collection of individuals, lacking the moral coherence necessary for true well-being. This classical inquiry reminds us that the pursuit of Justice is not just an aspiration for individuals, but the essential moral compass for any thriving political community, constantly battling the encroaching shadows of vice.

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Plato's Republic Justice State"

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Aristotle Politics Justice Law"

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