The ring of Gyges

In Plato's Republic one of the characters mentions a magic ring that confers the power of invisibility. He suggests that someone in possession of such a ring would use it for self-interested reasons only.

Plato argues that this view ignores the state of the soul of the person who acts selfishly. We often experience internal, mental conflict between what we instinctively want to do and what we think we ought to do.

For Plato our souls are both rational and driven by desires and we are happiest when there is no conflict between these two parts. Desires can of often lead us into trouble and we have to curb them with reason.

An immoral person is some whose desires overrule his reason. Such a person will attempt to fulfil his desires regardless of whether they represent what that person needs.

When we are ruled by desire we are unable to see what is good and we often think that getting what we want will be better than acting morally. For Plato this is simply a mistake.

When reason is in charge we act virtuously. This has three effects.

• We know what is morally right and good.
• We are motivated to act morally and not immorally.
• We are happier as we do not suffer inner conflict.

Is Plato right about our desires? Do they always lead us into trouble?
Is he right about reason? Can we always use it to tell right from wrong?

Compare the responses of Gollum and Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings when they were given a ring of invisibility.