Abstract
In The Republic, Plato tries to describe his view of the ideal society, by setting the characteristics of a just state, a just individual, and the notion of justice seems to go along with the notion of goodness. Ultimately, a good or just person has been defined as the one that serves its purpose. In Plato's society, the population is divided into different categories (Merchants, Auxiliaries and Guardians), and the people in each category understand and agree on their situation, because they are naturally predisposed to the function that they are assigned.
The Guardians are the rulers of the society because, according to Plato again, they are morally superior and therefore able to rule a society in a just manner, without seeking wealth and pleasure. It follows from this that the Guardians are those who represent wisdom, they must be the Philosophers; in other words, they should be able to define what is good or bad. Yet, although they have the natural skills for fulfilling their purpose of Guardians, they still need to pursue a very serious educational career in order for them to seek the ultimate knowledge.
