Final answer:
Glaucon suggests that most people view justice as instrumental for personal gain, which aligns with Socratic ideas of people choosing what appears good for them but is not committed to justice as inherently virtuous. This stands in contrast to utilitarianism's greatest good and the concept of a social contract.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Glaucon, the majority of people relegate justice to being instrumental for personal gain. This perspective is derived from Socrate's assertion that people generally act in a manner that they perceive as good for themselves. Glaucon expanded on this, suggesting that justice is adhered to not because it is valued in itself, but because it serves as a tool for individuals to attain their own ends. Choosing justice, in this view, is a strategic action, aimed at either avoiding punishment or achieving a good reputation, rather than being committed to justice as a concept of inherent virtue.
Utilitarianism and the social contract are different theories that have bearing on notions of justice and morality. Utilitarianism, as conveyed by thinkers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, emphasizes actions that result in the greatest good for the greatest number. The social contract, on the other hand, is a philosophical concept where individuals accept moral and political obligations as part of being a member of society.