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Single Idea 266

[from 'The Laws' by Plato, in 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / c. Justice ]

Full Idea

My general description of injustice is this: the mastery of the soul by anger, fear, pleasure, pain, envy and desires, whether they lead to actual damage or not.

Clarification

'Justice' is the Greek word 'dikaiosuné', which is also general moral rightness

Gist of Idea

Injustice is the mastery of the soul by bad feelings, even if they do not lead to harm

Source

Plato (The Laws [c.348 BCE], 863e)

Book Reference

Plato: 'The Laws', ed/tr. Saunders,Trevor J [Penguin 1970], p.374