플라톤의 『국가론』에 나타난 정의와 행복, 그리고 도덕성

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the value of morality in the old-fashioned classic argument that spiritual value of morality outweighs material value of immorality on the basis of Plato's ethics presented in 『Republic』. For this I investigate the interrelationships among the justice, happiness, and morality. BookⅣ of the 『Republic』 offers a great argument for the value of morality in its own right and as such stands at the head of an important stand of moral tradition. According to Plato, the human soul has a structure similar to that of the city. As the city has three classes of citizens, the soul has three parts: reason, a spiritedness, and desire. Under reason's wise rule, the three together can form a just unity, a psychological commonwealth in which each part receives its just due. And such justice in the soul is worth more than any material advantage that might be gained by committing injustice. Plato's remarks in bookⅣ sound like a hymn of praise for the soul itself portrayed as harmonious, orderly, and well integrated, and to the person who has justice in the soul. Since the life of justice is wrapped up with psychic harmony, it follows that one lead a life which is happy. This psychic harmony is so valuable that no rational person would give it up in order to have all the advantages of the life of injustice. Plato makes one of the classic arguments for the value of morality. And his conclusion stands in a long line of arguments which say that the spiritual value of morality is better than the material value of immorality. Plato's account of justice has a particular importance to educators who are interested in the moral character of their students. It allows the student to reflect on the question of the value of morality for herself or himself. It makes a strong argument that morality has intrinsic worth for the one who is moral.