Cephalus's definition fails (and Cephalus himself hurriedly leaves the scene). However, Cephalus agrees that under certain circumstances, Socrates says “sometimes” doing a just act can be unjust (Plato, 331d). In Socrates’ second argument, he assumes Cephalus’ view of justice is black and white. In what way does Cephalus think the virtue of justice is a matter of luck rather than in one’s own control? Both Cephalus and Polemarchus give traditional accounts of what justice is, which Socrates shows to be incomplete. First, justice is nothing but the advantage of the stronger. The position Thrasymachus takes on the definition of justice, as well as its importance in society, is one far differing from the opinions of the other interlocutors in the first book of Plato’s Republic. True justice, he contends, is … -cephalus: Etymology: Gk, kephale, head suffix meaning (a) an abnormal condition of the head, as indicated by the stem to which the ending is attached, such as hydrocephalus; (b) an individual having an abnormal condition of the head, especially … theory of justice. as the issue of justice begins to arise, the old man is abruptly and rather. Cephalus departs, laughing, and goes to attend to the sacrifices. Socrates wants to find a definition for justice or the just life, and so he tests the current definition to see if it always holds true. Polemarchus becomes the heir to the argument, and Cephalus does not return. In Plato’s Republic, Cephalus argues the definition of justice is to live by what is right and not wrong to avoid evils. Socrates points out that repaying one’s creditors is not always a good idea. After a brief and pleasant conversation with Socrates about age and wealth, and precisely as the issue of justice begins to arise, the old man is abruptly and rather awkwardly whisked from the scene, having bequeathed his definition to a suitable heir. Cephalus, in retiring from the conversation in order to sacrifice to the goddess, may be said to be rendering a kind of justice to the gods. Glossary For Thrasymachus, what is justice? Since obeying Cephalus’ definition of justice would produce a bad result, Socrates finds Cephalus’ definition insufficient. What is the end purpose of any art (and the skills associated with it)? Before Cephalus can respond, Polemarchus interrupts and defends this first definition of justice. In The Republic, four definitions of justice are given by the four characters Cephalus, Polemarchus, Thrasymachus, and Glaucon.. First, Cephalus explains that justice consists in following the laws and repaying one’s creditors. And since the good person is just and does no wrong it is then unjust to do harm to the good person. Who are the stronger? Why does it fail? What is Cephalus definition of justice? Thrasymachus enters the debate, answering that the very conception of justice is a sham meant to keep the strong at bay. Cephalus himself does not answer any questions about justice. Polemarchus interrupts, saying his father’s definition is correct. Why does it fail? What is Polymarchus definition of justice? But in the dialogue, it is clear that we cannot have achieved justice because we have not thus far been able even to define justice. How does Socrates defeat this claim? If it does, it's a good definition; if it fails, he needs a new one. "The definition of justice isn't speaking the truth and repaying what one has borrowed"-Cephalus Source(s): Cephalus leaves the rest of the argument to polemarchus so there isnt much said by him on the subject of justice