Socrates and Aquinas

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Now, I must give my position. I am neither one nor the other. However, if someone could perfect the idea that Socrates gives, then I would be 100% for that. I like the idea of each person mastering a craft, and only focusing on that to contribute to the society. However, I know that is not practical, it’s something I would live in. I thoroughly enjoy reading and watching books and movies from the early eras where you had an artisan class. I think if that society could be perfected, then it would be extremely successful. Each person would focus on one thing and one thing only. No one would have to worry about what the next guy is doing, or think about what he’s going to do himself. He will be a master of a certain trade and that’s all he’d have to worry about. Certainly this isn’t practical considering there’s always people who want more than they have or people who will slack to make the society unsuccessful. A city like that would be extremely efficient because everyone would be a master in their field. There would be no monetary system and everyone would work for what they needed. It would sort of be like The Smurfs. It’s a cooperative, sharing and kind environment. Each person would be given the necessities of life without any use of money.

Socrates takes the side of every man must work for his society and he will get out what he puts in. They will master one trade everyone will work together for that society. Aquinas gives general definitions that one must give what others are due. He goes further in-depth with legal and particular justice. I will be on the side of Socrates if that kind of society could be perfected. I feel it would be extremely sufficient and successful so long as it is run properly.

Works Cited

Aquinas, Thomas. On Law, Morality, and Politics. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company. 2002. Print.

Finnis, John. " http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aquinas-moral-political/#pagetopright." Stanford University. Stanford University, 02 Dec. 2005. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.

Plato. Republic. Newburyport: Focus Publishing, 2007. Print