Plato's allegory of the ring - Alex Gendler
TED-Ed・2 minutes read
The legend of the Ring of Gyges from Plato's Republic illustrates how people would act unjustly if granted invisibility to fulfill desires consequence-free, according to Glaucon. Socrates argues that justice belongs to the third class of good, providing both extrinsic and intrinsic benefits and leading to genuine happiness.
Insights
- Glaucon uses the story of Gyges to propose that people would act unjustly if they could do so without repercussions, categorizing justice as a burden with rewards but not pursued for its inherent value.
- In contrast, Socrates argues that justice is a good in itself, belonging to the third class of goods, providing both external and internal benefits. He emphasizes that true justice stems from reason, controlling base desires and leading to authentic happiness.
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Recent questions
What is the legend of the Ring of Gyges?
A magical ring grants invisibility, leading to immoral acts.