Enrique B.

Alabe
3BA-MKG-A
Business Ethics

Dec. 10, 2014

What is Justice for Plato? How can you apply The Platonic Notion of Justice in establishing
an ethical corporate culture?

Justice is Harmony (Book 4, Republic). Justice is doing ones own job (Book 4,
Republic). The fulfillment of the specific duty assigned to ones appropriate role is the Justice
Plato is referring to. Along with that statement, the fact that even if the duty assigned and the role
being practiced is normally unjust but if it is for a noble cause, then that unjust act is considered
noble and just since the purpose of it is for the better of the people. A fine example of this is a
soldier; one that serve and protect, to fulfill ones duty, one might need to kill other soldiers,
civilians, terrorists, invaders, rebels, protesters and such. Killing is unjust but for the cause of
service and protection, thus it is considered noble and just. With everyones role and duty in
place, harmonizing with one another, justice is established.
The Platonic Notion of Justice is Platos version of an ideal society. This is founded by
4 cardinal excellences or virtues which are wisdom, courage, temperance and justice. Essentially,
wisdom are present amongst the rulers, courage amongst the auxiliaries, temperance amongst all
classes in accordance on who should rule and who ought to be ruled, and justice as the state in
which each part of the whole performs only its role and duty, not meddling in the performance of
others. Platos ideal society encourages kings or rulers, which are also philosophers. Considering
human tendency to be corrupted by power, philosophers are most just and least susceptible to
corruption. A true philosopher ruler, with understanding of forms that facilitate the harmonious
co-operation of all the citizens of the city, must possess intelligence, reliability and willingness to
lead a simple life rather than indulging oneself in luxury whereas nowadays being a perk of
being a ruler thru corruption. Philosopher-ruler, who rules not for their personal enjoyment but
for the good of the city-state, ideally governs over the city-state as their ruler. Whilst the ones
being ruled, a system whereas every individual are valued equally and enables them to optimize
their strength and weakness. A system whereas the people follow the governance of the ruler,
trusts that their role is just, and willingly performs their duty without doubt. A system, that
maximizes the use of its people whilst not overwhelming their self preservation and entire entity,
is to be used for city-state. Thus this society is encouraging and elitist and dictatorial society. It is
also against the grain of human nature to accept direction without question, which is a problem
that was well aware of, but it is a problem that did not get resolved. While in this version of
utopia, it can be considered thaat this fact is pointing out the weaknesses involved with just such
a society.
Corporate Culture refers to the organizations values, beliefs, rituals, myths, symbols,
taboos and behaviors that develop over time. It is concerned with beliefs and values on the basis
of which people interpret experiences and behave, individually and in groups. Cultural
statements become operationalized when executives articulate and publish the values of their
firm which provide patterns for how employees should behave. Firms with strong cultures
achieve higher results because employees sustain focus both on what to do and how to do it.
The application of The Platonic Notion of Justice in establishing an ethical corporate culture
will also have the presence of a ruler and of those who ought to be ruled. Recognition of the key
foundations are assumedly necessarily which varies from the type of organization. The

Enrique B. Alabe
3BA-MKG-A
Business Ethics

Dec. 10, 2014

application of The Platonic Notion of Justice may vary from the structure of the organization.
The development of the culture will be the reflection of the intelligence and vision of the ruler.
A solid yet simple example of an application of The Platonic Notion of Justice in
establishing an ethical corporate culture can be witness in primary educational organization. The
principal is the recognized ruler while the security staff, maintenance staff, educational staff,
students and some other members are the ones which ought to be ruled. An intellectual principal,
will select multiple sub head that will lead and guide the corresponding staff depending on the
duty and role to make a more manageable system. Along with this system, the principal will
create a stable yet progressive system, which is self-promoting and provides encouragement for
the members. A system which also values the organization and let the other members feel valued
and recognized, thus enables opportunities which may provide an increase in ones capabilities,
skills, talents, intellectual prowess and worth. When a harmonious, just and satisfactory state is
achieved within the organization, The Platonic Notion of Justice is established. This is simply
possible, if the ruler and members are free from corruption.
A complex example of an application of The Platonic Notion of Justice in establishing
an ethical corporate culture is present in a networking organization. The duty and roles of each
member are still present, as well as, the ruler governance. Thus in a networking organization, this
promotes high competitiveness and rivalry. Exaggerations in multiple fields are orally practiced
to increase ones advocacy, coating the lie for a surreal extravagance of fact. This shows great
outcome with a noble cause, whilst its methodology is quite unjust. Rivalry may induce an
individuals self worth positively or negatively, thus may not yield harmony amongst the
members.