Is justice profitable? Glaucon attempted to prove that injustice is preferable to justice. At first, Glacon agreed with Socrates that justice is a good thing, but implored the nature of his goodness? He listed three types of “good”; what is good in itself (like playing games), what is good is good in itself and has useful consequences (like reading), and what is painful but has good consequences (like surgery). Socrates replied that justice “belongs to the most just class, that which a man who wishes to be happy must love both for its own sake and for its results.” (45d) Glaucon then reaffirmed Thrasymachus' position that unjust people lead better lives than just people. He began by saying that being fair is just a formality to maintaining a good reputation and achieving one's goals. He claimed that the only reason a person would choose to be unjust rather than simply the fear of being punished. This is supported by the story of the shepherd who became corrupted after finding a ring that made him invisible. He took over the kingdom through murder and intrigue, knowing that there could be no repercussions for his unjust actions. Additionally, Adiamantus stated that unjust people need not fear divine punishment since appeals could be made to the egos of the gods via sacrifices. Finally, Glaucon gave the example of an extremely unjust person who has accumulated great wealth and power which he juxtaposed with an extremely moral man who is unjustly punished for his crimes. Obviously, injustice is preferable to justice, because it allows for a more fruitful life. “Is justice profitable? » Glacon's argument to Socrates may seem very convincing at first glance. Middle of paper successful people are less likely. Last but not least, injustice does not bring the greatest good to the greatest number of people. Just acts beget other just acts, just as unjust acts beget other unjust acts. If everyone behaved unjustly, humanity would revert to a state of nature (every man is for himself) which would be very disadvantageous to the unjust individual due to a diminished chance of survival. An action is obviously not profitable for the unjust individual if it ends up creating a hostile environment for him. Therefore, everyone should set an example for others by leading a righteous life that would create a better environment for themselves as well as others. In summary, justice is more profitable than injustice because it does not lead to true happiness, it gives way. to the possibility of punishment, and this creates a pattern of behavior which, if universalized, would lead to disaster.