Question

ETHICS

Why Be Moral?

Plato tells the story of Gyges (The Republic, Book II), a shepherd, who finds a magic ring. When Gyges turns the ring 180˚, he becomes invisible, and upon turning the ring again, he reappears. Under the cloak of invisibility he performs a series of unethical and immoral acts, including murder. He is a villain and rogue yet becomes wealthy and famous. Gyges not only accrues benefits by appearing to be moral but also enjoys the bounty reaped from wrongdoing with no punishing consequences – he will never be caught!

Now imagine a second magic ring given to a just and upright individual. Will the temptation to engage in wrong-doing for personal gain be too great? Knowing there will be no punishing consequences, would a good person quickly turn into a scoundrel? Given the situation just described, why the need to be moral?

What would you do if you were given a Gyges ring?

Discuss your answer in 100-150 words minimum.

For further references:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qjGp6TWqe4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMl4AeBpVQE

Answer 1

When the magic ring is given to a just and upright individual, there are less chances that he will be tempted to do wrong doings for personal gain even though he knows that there will be no punishing consequences for his behavior. This is because when a person is just, it means that he will have moral values which will guide him to act in a way that will respect and protect others and brings good to both himself and others. When a person adheres to ethics and moral values and norms they are bound to their consciousness and will not engage in wrong acts because doing so will make them feel guilty and ashamed even if their bad behaviors are not seen by others.

When I am given the Gyges ring, I will use it to do good for the people, such as getting money from people who steal or take away belongings of other people and then return them back to those whom it belongs. I will also find out who engages in wrong behaviors by secretly observing them and then report them to the police who will give them the appropriate punishments. I would also get the money from those who earned them illegally or by cheating others and would give it to those people who are poor.