Reference no: EM132217380

Question: 1. If I were the Shepard in the story and found a golden ring that made me invisible I think that I would get into a lot of mischief. I say that because there are a few things that I can think of that I would want to do and I would only do these things I if possessed these powers. One of the first things I would do is go to a luxury car lot and grab one of the keys out of the office and joy ride in the nicest luxury car I could. I think the reason I would do this is because I have had some serious bad luck with cars in the past so it has caused me to not exactly have the car of my dreams. I think my use of the ring would definitely be considered unethical by most people. I think that we value ethics more than we realize because even with the ring on I could consciously make the decision to not do anything wrong but because I know that I wouldn't get caught I lose all values and ethics. I think most people in society would consider me to be ethical because I try to live a just life. I am often putting others needs before mine this has always been a value that I grew up. My parents always taught us to live by the golden rule and to show honor and integrity no matter where we go in life. I think if I had the ring and use it as tool to do what I wanted and get what I wanted then my response does agree with Glaukon's claim. When wearing the ring I would justify was I was doing would be okay because it would be considered a harmless pleasure.

2. The story of the "Ring of Gyges" was a very interesting perspective on how people should behave in society. It almost seems like the whole worlds perspective of peace has been turned upside down after reading the article. For example, Plato quotes, "No one believes justice to be good when it is kept private, since, wherever either person thinks he can do injustice with impunity, he does it." (Plato's The Ring of Gyges). I had a deep thought about what I would do if I had the ring on myself. First and foremost, if I ever had that ring, I would be doing a lot of things that I would do when I wished for it at that time. For instance, I would sneak into the airport to get a free flight to go on vacation kind of scenario. Yes, in my mind it is an unjust thing to do and it's true I will do it even with the thought of not getting caught. The thing that was lingering in my mind, however, was; would I ever stoop to the level that the farmer had gone when he had the ring? My conscious mind tells me that I wouldn't for the sole purpose of helping others remain happy doing the greater good for all. I would do the best thing that I believe is a proper society. However, I believe I would do unjust things to have a just society. It's a pretty scary thought, but it is almost the sad truth. The reason behind my thought was motivation. We wake up early in the morning to go to work and be paid for the number of hours at the right rate. We are motivated by money and will do whatever it takes to live a prosperous life even when we dread the hours. If for any reason a king were to kill a family member for doing unjust things, then If I had the ring, I would do the unjust thing because it was the right thing to do. I believe that whatever I am motivated in that time of discovering the ring will I ever feel like I would have that choice.