This guide explains that justice has value on its own among all elements of life. The writer explains the theory, shows that short-term pleasures are inferior, and proves that injustice is a human and not a pure condition. A good start for people not familiar with the argument between Socrates and Glaucon in Apology as Socrates tries to plead for his life and show that his death will not bring harm. Men are creatures of value and there are things in their lives that they crave and desire. Men value material things as well as emotional ones, but the primary question in this inquiry is on what basis should some things be valued. Socrates contends that justice should be valued for its own sake and not what it produces, but his companions believe that justice should be valued only because of the rewards it produces. Glaucon beliefs that justice is something that should be valued because of its rewards and he and Ademimantus contend that people are going to measure their actions based on rewards and accountability. However, it is ultimately Socrates who gives the best explanation and shows that justice does have value for its own sake.
