The Ring Of Gyge In Plato's The Republic

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I tie the racing shoes on my feet and head northerly out the door into the frigid, spring-morning air. Picking up speed, I realize the cold is more formidable a foe than anticipated as it seems to burn and congeal my throat, and turn both my feet to five-pound bricks. Nevertheless, I persist. The sun peeks its head over the mountain, giving a glimmer of warmth, and a single tendril of light seems to grasp something in the distance, illuminating it to a dazzling shimmer. The objects’ beguiling brilliance brings my pace to a sprint. Suddenly, all light, heat, and goodness fade as I near the mysterious object – an average looking ring – and my entire being is washed with dread and excitement. In an instant, I recognize the Ring of Gyges. The heavens opened, dropped it at my feet, to beseech it into my care; I oblige and take it with me as I make the return home. …show more content…
I, however, disagree and believe the struggle to be within one’s own morality – that a truly just man would endure. If a man’s integrity can be shaken by something as simple as anonymity, his righteousness was not true nor his deepest desires altruistic in the first place. There is a great fortitude in disregarding the opinions of others, and all the better if one’s actions are just. When faced with accusations and outer opinions, no matter how lurid they may be, I believe it is most important to be true to oneself. Briefly, I applied myself to the philosophy to better understand Plato’s concept of inherent human selfishness, but even a mere glimpse of being in accordance with Plato’s allegory of the Ring of Gyges repulsed me. Now, having the Ring of Gyges for 24 hours, I will remain just in my actions so in the future, I can find peaceful solace in my times of
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