Book one of Plato's Republic examines the concept of democracy and justice. Thrasymachus, the Sophist declares that justice is the advantage of the stronger, whereas Socrates argues that justice is wisdom, something good and desirable. According to this in Athenian times, a democracy could not survive with out a system of justice in place. This still holds true in the contemporary Western world.

Throughout the dialogue of book one, Socrates, Cephalus, Polemarchus and Thrasymachus are trying to reach a definition of justice. Cephalus defines justice as "speaking the truth and paying whatever debts one has incurred" From this, justice is nothing more then being honest and living up to your legal obligation. Socrates compares this with returning a weapon to a lunatic in some sense, you owe him his weapon because it belongs to him legally, but if you do not return it to him, it is an...