ASSESSMENT OF PLATO’S CONCEPT OF JUSTICE: A PARADIGM FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This paper assessesplatonic concept of justice which is very vital in today’s discourse, be it in the economic, social, spiritual and all spheres of life. It is so centralized in virtually all human endeavours with unarguable existential relevance. It has from time immemorial attracted the attentions of great thinkers, one of whose idea of the concept “Justice†shall be the centre of our discussion. At the heart of discussion is the perspective of appropriate designation  of  individuals  in  the  state.  The  writers  argue  that,  justice  consists  in  giving everyone  his  due  and  is  achieved  in  a  state  when  every  citizen  is  assigned  according  to his  profession.  The  writers  further  contend  that  a  state  where  expertise  and  meritocracy will be the yardstick of appointment, it is only then can be said to have justice in the state. The   paper   concludes   that each   class   should   perform   its   function   efficiently   and adequately, without any interferenceto one another. The paper addsweight in advocating for  all  strata  of  the  society,  the  government  and  the  citizens,  the  rulers  and  the  ruled, peoples  of  all  professions,  creeds,  walks  of  life  and  all  men  and  women  of  goodwill should play their unique but indispensableroles for the collective good of the society for national development.