At the base of the social hierarchy are the producers – the farmers, artisans, merchants, and other members of society who contribute to the state’s economic well-being. Their souls are primarily driven by appetite, focused on fulfilling their material needs and desires. Their virtue is temperance, the ability to control their desires and fulfill their assigned roles within the social order without disrupting the harmony of the state. Plato recognizes the importance of the producers, acknowledging their crucial role in maintaining the state’s economic stability. However, he also argues that their focus should remain on their productive roles, leaving governance to those equipped with the superior intellectual and moral qualities of the ruling and auxiliary classes.
The justice of Plato’s ideal state rests upon the harmonious functioning of these three classes. Each class fulfills its designated role, contributing to the state’s well-being. This harmony mirrors the ideal balance within the individual soul, where reason governs spirit and appetite. Injustice arises from disrupting this harmony, from individuals aspiring to roles beyond their capabilities, or from a lack of control over their desires. When the parts of the soul are out of balance, as when appetite overwhelms reason, the individual is unjust; when classes in society overstep their boundaries, the state is similarly unfair.
Plato’s concept of justice isn’t simply the absence of conflict or merely the enforcement of laws. It’s a more profound principle of societal organization, reflecting the cosmic order in the Forms. It’s about each individual and each class fulfilling its proper function, contributing to the overall good. The philosopher-kings, guided by reason, ensure that the laws and institutions of the state reflect the principles of justice, fostering a society where individuals can flourish and reach their full potential. Through their courage, the auxiliaries uphold the laws and protect the society from internal and external threats, guaranteeing the conditions necessary for the state’s flourishing. The producers provide the economic and material basis for societal stability through their temperance.