The book is introduced with the narrator- Socrates. He is an interrogator of the people’s views. The tone of the book is casual and the expressions are simple, but hard to understand. It took me a while to understand what was going on, but eventually I finally understood. The style of writing is mainly focused on truth and wisdom. Throughout the beginning of the book, Socrates discusses justice.
In Socrates conversation with Cephalus, he talks about how money have brought advantages to Cephalus’ life. On the other hand, Cephalus believes that money has given him the ability to, “…tell the truth ad pay one’s debts” (110). Socrates doesn’t believe that this is justice. He believes that every indivialu can lead the best life in many different ways.
He also talks about aging and how it affects one’s mind with Cephalus. Although not like other men who complain about the growing white hairs or wrinkles, Cephalus says that, “Life is no longer life, he who is calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age.” Socrates believes that Cephalus’ happiness is not towards his peace of mind, but towards the position of his wealth.
Thrasymachus, a character who believes that the might is right, states that "justice is simply the interest of the stronger" (118). He states that people who are in power in government make laws, and since these people design these laws, they will serve the interests of themselves. The laws should be restated as the stronger class. He goes on further to say that the unjust man is stronger than the just man is, and because of that, a stronger man will be listening to more often. Thrasymachus uses the example of how a private business would gain more money as a unjust man than a just man would because the just man would pay his taxes fully and would not try to take advantage of others. Therefore, Thrasymachus' viewpoint is that one's life can be better because he will have the ability to take advantage of the just man. In fact, he