The operation of platonic justice in the South African constitution

Abstract

Justice is one of the four Platonic or cardinal virtues. In his dialogues the Republic and the Laws, Plato presents a concept of justice far broader than the predominantly legalistic notions which we have received from Justinian's Roman law and from modern Western jurisprudence. This article examines Plato's notion of justice and shows that, far from being anachronistic, it plays a vital part in the South African Constitution. The operation of Platonic justice in a number of specific provisions of the Constitution is observed.