I am quite confused by the Republic and here is why. If a man is unjust, yet pretends to be just, why do so? Why can he not simy be a just man to begin with? For, the unjust man must see something of worth, something desirable, in the life of the just man or he would not imitate him. So why is it that he still leads an unjust life? Is it the old adage, nice guys finish last? Is it something in the nature of immorality being fun? Why is there such hypocrisy in the life of the unjust that he feel the need to conceal his identity. If he were not ashamed of his lifestyle and character, why would he continue to hide it? I propose that there must be something about the life of the just man, whether tangible or intangible, that is desired above all else. We as Christians call it righteousness and holiness. But what would the Greeks have called it? What role model would they have looked to as an example? If you can't tell... I've been wrestling with this.
P. S. I commented on Caleb Zessin
Interesting questions! Many of which I had myself. I think you may have nailed it about the intangible aspect. If all were evil and there was one just man in the world if this world recognized "justness" as existing I believe the just man would be respected. Why? Well, without getting into an overwhelming amount of detail and just to use one example, a just man will treat everyone equally, and with respect. Not because he wants something from them. Now, of course, I'm only using this ONE thing as an example, and honestly I have not put a lot of thought into it yet, but if there were a man like that, he would be respected. That honor or respect for high morals is an intangible I believe. Or at least part of it.
ReplyDelete