Platos Ring of Gyges

A detailed Summary of Platos Ring of Gyges

The story of the Ring of Gyges is an excerpt from book two of Plato's The Republic, in which Glaucon disagrees with Socrates and insists that people act moral because they lack the power to behave otherwise. In an effort to support his claim, Glaucon recites the tale of Gyges. In this paper, I will include a brief history of Plato, a description of the "Ring of Gyges", and discuss how the story may affect our present lives.

Plato was born in 429 B.C. in Athens, Greece, to Ariston and Perictione. Plato's real name was Aristocles, and 'Plato' (meaning 'the broad') was a nickname given either from the width of his shoulders, or from the size of his forehead. When Plato was a young man he became a disciple of Socrates, learning the value of reason and philosophy. Plato was in military service from 409 B.C. to 404 B.C., but at this time he wanted to pursue politics rather than a military career. At the end of the war he joined the Oligarchy of the Thirty Tyrants, but their violent acts resulted in Plato leaving quickly. In 403 B.C. a restoration of democracy in Athens began, and Plato had great hopes of reentering politics. However, the execution of Socrates in 399 B.C. had an immense effect on Plato and

he decided on having nothing further to do with politics in Athens. Plato left Athens after Socrates had been executed and traveled in Egypt, Sicily, and Italy. Upon his return to Athens, in about 387 B.C., Plato founded the Academy, an institution devoted to research and instruction in philosophy and science. Plato was disappointed with the ethics of those in public office (JOC 1). The Academy's primary goal was to educate citizens for statesmanship (Sahakian 35). Plato presided over his Academy in Athens until his death in 347 B.C. (JOC 1).

Owens, Mackubin T. Sex and the Presidency. America Online. Claremont Institute. January 1998. Available http://www.claremont.org/owens.cfm

JOC and EFR. Biography of Plato. America Online. University of St. Andrews. January 1999. Available http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Plato.html

Jowett, B. Plato: Five Great Dialogues. New York: Walter J. Black Inc., 1942.

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Approximate Word count = 944
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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