Overview
Step 1: Review the Scenario
Read this excerpt from Republic, the classic text by Plato. At this point in the book, Socrates is discussing why one acts in an ethically good manner. Glaucon, a hero of the Battle of Megara in the Peloponnesian War and Plato’s older brother, provides the following story in the attempt to prove that justice is whatever is in the interest of the “stronger.”
Gyges, the main character in the story, is a real historical figure. He became king of the Lydian empire (roughly located in modern-day western Turkey) after overthrowing the prior king, Candaules. His story inspired J.R. R. Tolkien to write The Lord of the Rings.
Remember the strategies that you have learned about reading philosophy texts. You can also review the tutorial Engaging With Philosophical Texts.
quote
"According to the tradition, Gyges was a shepherd in the service of the king of Lydia; there was a great storm, and an earthquake made an opening in the earth at the place where he was feeding his flock. Amazed at the sight, he descended into the opening, where, among other marvels, he beheld a hollow brazen horse, having doors, at which he stooping and looking in saw a dead body of stature, as appeared to him, more than human, and having nothing on but a gold ring; this he took from the finger of the dead and reascended. Now the shepherds met together, according to custom, that they might send their monthly report about the flocks to the king; into their assembly he came having the ring on his finger, and as he was sitting among them he chanced to turn the collet of the ring inside his hand, when instantly he became invisible to the rest of the company and they began to speak of him as if he were no longer present. He was astonished at this, and again touching the ring he turned the collet outwards and reappeared; he made several trials of the ring, and always with the same result-when he turned the collet inwards he became invisible, when outwards he reappeared. Whereupon he contrived to be chosen one of the messengers who were sent to the court; where as soon as he arrived he seduced the queen, and with her help conspired against the king and slew him, and took the kingdom."
— Plato, Republic, Book II, 359c-360b
Source: Plato. (1888). Republic (B. Jowett, Trans.). The Internet Classics Archive. classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.html (Original work published ca. 375 B.C.E.)
Step 2: Write the Touchstone
Consider how different ethical perspectives would approach this dilemma. Remember to answer all of the questions.
1. The Utilitarian View
- What are the short- and long-term impacts on the amount of social harms and benefits of Gyges’ actions?
- Is the action ethically justified on utilitarian grounds, and why?
2. The Kantian (Deontological) View
- Does Gyges’ maxim pass a test against the different formulations of the Categorical Imperative? Explain.
- Is the action ethically justified on Kantian grounds, and why?
3. The Virtue Ethics View
- Does Gyges’ choice express or cultivate the virtues as judged by practical wisdom, or does it reveal vices?
- Is the action ethically justified on virtue-ethical grounds, and why?
4. The Egoist View
- Was Gyges justified in doing what was best for himself?
- Did Gyges act in his own rational self-interest?
- Would an egoist agree that self-preservation and gain outweigh social norms?
5. Your View
- Which approach do you think is correct?
- Why is that approach correct?
- What potential objection could someone raise to your stance?
- How would you respond?
Step 3: Review and Submit Your Work
- Label each section clearly.
- Review your work carefully and check the rubric to make sure you have met all the requirements.
- Submit your response (750 - 900 words total) as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx).