Abstract

This chapter opens with a discussion of ‘sound thinking’ as the underlying cause for proper religious behaviour. The focus, however, is on the relationship between ‘religious correctness’ and justice in the philosophical tradition. Largely distinct in the popular religious tradition, Plato fuses them when he makes his gods concerned with all justice among humans and thus makes all acts of justice or injustice also religious rights or wrongs. Plato still keeps ‘religious correctness’ and justice distinct, however, and in his eschatological myths requires both for those who are to receive the greatest rewards. ‘Just and “religiously correct” ’ sum up the moral life and the moral individual. Both are required. The chapter closes with a discussion of the importance of justice, even at the popular level, in the charis relationship of the mutual exchange of favours between gods and humans.