Plato’s the Republic

Plato’s the Republic

  • Submitted By: limitless
  • Date Submitted: 03/04/2009 11:31 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1602
  • Page: 7
  • Views: 537

In Plato’s The Republic, Socrates, along with a group of others, engage in a conversation in search of the true definition of justice. Through Glaucon’s mouth, Plato brings forth the mythical magical artefact, the ring of Gyges, which gives its owner the ability to become invisible thus providing him with great power to do as he desires with no punishment or consequences. If one came across the ring of Gyges, according to Plato the only sensible thing would be to dispose of it where no one will ever find it. The ring brings forth nothing but corruption first and for most to the possessor’s soul and then most definitely to the state of the city. This corruption is introduced as one becomes in possession of great power, has the advantage of invisibility, and begins to pursue personal gain and desire. It is because of these characterizations of corruption that one becomes ignorant and engages in unjust and unethical acts that affect the function of his soul as well as the harmony of the city. I will explore farther into this by first stating the origin and then the ability of the magical ring and farther analyze each characteristic of corruption brought upon the subject’s soul and its effects on the state and its justice.
In Book II, Glaucon brings forth the myth of the ring of Gyges. The story is of the ancestor of Gyges of Lydia, who was a shepherd. As a result of violent thunderstorm and an earthquake, a gap was created where he tended his sheep. He walked into the chasm and found a bronze horse in which there was a corpse with a gold ring on its finger. He took off the ring, put it on and walked out of the opening. He wore the ring at the monthly meeting of shepherds reporting the state of the flocks to the king. He soon learned that once he turned the setting of the ring towards himself, he became invisible. He then realized the advantages of this invisibility and the power that he had come to possess. He was then able to as he desired seduce the king’s...

Similar Essays