The great morality scam
Thrasymachus sprang at the panic-stricken Socrates “like a wild beast”, looking as if he was about to tear the hapless philosopher to pieces. Thus Plato introduces us to the ‘villain’ of his classic dialogue on morality and the ideal society, The Republic.
Where Socrates is a philosopher who spreads wisdom for its own good, Thrasymachus is a sophist who charges for his insights. Where Socrates is humble and knows he knows nothing, Thrasymachus is arrogant and argues to win rather than to learn. Where Socrates is an idealist who believes pursuing justice leads to an enlightened society, Thrasymachus is an immoralist who insists that justice is a giant con.
However, like most good villains, I have come to believe Thrasymachus is really just misunderstood.
The general gist of is that
