Thrasymachus: Socrates Responds
Socrates responds to Thrasymachus by examining the crafts. A doctor, qua doctor, aims at the health of the patient, not his own profit. A ship's captain, qua captain, aims at the safety of the voyage, not personal gain. If ruling is an art, doesn't it too aim at the good of those ruled? Thrasymachus resists: the real shepherd fattens sheep to slaughter them! Socrates presses: but insofar as he is a shepherd (not a businessman), he cares for sheep. The debate turns to whether injustice is more profitable than justice. Thrasymachus praises the successful tyrant; Socrates argues that injustice creates faction and internal conflict. At the end, Thrasymachus is silenced but not convinced - and Socrates admits his answer is incomplete.
The Text
What You'll Learn
Comprehension
Explains the arts analogy: doctor aims at patient's health, captain at voyage safety
Cause & Consequence
Explains why Socrates uses the arts analogy: to distinguish the art from money-making
Meaning
Takes a position on whether the arts analogy successfully answers Thrasymachus
Evidence
Cites a specific exchange or argument from the text
Defense
Maintains or thoughtfully revises position under challenge
Craft
Analyzes how Socrates uses questions to draw out contradictions in Thrasymachus
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