Justice in the Thought of Plato and Imam Ali (AS): From Rational Order to Divine Equity

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Associate Professor, Department of Historical Geography, Foundation of Islamic Encyclopedia

10.22081/csa.2025.72822.1222

Abstract

Justice is a fundamental concept in both philosophical and religious traditions, holding a special place among Greek philosophers and Islamic thinkers. Plato explains justice within the framework of the rational order of the soul and society, while Imam Ali (AS) regards it as the pillar of faith and the foundation of society. The main question of this research is: How is justice defined and grounded in the thought of these two thinkers, and what are the similarities and differences in its function? Although the ontological and epistemological foundations of the two perspectives differ, both emphasize natural order, the appropriate place for individuals, and the structure of society, considering justice an essential condition for the stability of society. This article adopts a comparative approach to examine the commonalities and differences in the concept of justice in the thoughts of these two thinkers. From Plato's perspective, justice is the harmony of the three parts of the soul (Reason, Appetite, and Spirit) and the proper functioning of the classes within society. Imam Ali (AS), in contrast, considers justice not merely an individual virtue but a Divine objective that must be realized in the realms of politics, economics, and society. By analyzing primary texts such as Plato's Republic and Imam Ali's Nahj al-Balagha, this article investigates the conceptual, epistemological, and functional dimensions of justice. It demonstrates that justice in the thought of Imam Ali (AS) is rooted in revelation and its ultimate goal is proximity to God (Qurb Ilāhī), whereas in Platonic philosophy, the goal of justice is to achieve a balanced soul and its ultimate purpose is the establishment of equilibrium in society and the formation of an earthly ideal state (Utopia).

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