Power In The Tale Of The Shepherd Gyge

It is in mankind 's very nature to seek power, to seek authority. The concept of a power struggle is what drives many to go above and beyond expectations, sometimes injuring others in the process, all to further one 's own agenda. For one man, a shepherd named Gyges, power unexpectedly presented itself, and Gyges was faced with an internal crisis: succumb to temptation, use the power, and risk corruption, or turn down the amazing power and sink into an unremarkable life of constant struggling. Were I in Gyges ' position, my initial reaction would be to use the power presented, but soon enough I know I would choose the lesser of two evils: a life of constant struggle, working like everyone else to achieve true happiness. It is my belief that …show more content…
This ring allowed Gyges to become invisible, but more than that, the ring made those around Gyge 's forget he was ever in their presence. This power of deception made it possible for Gyge 's to go unseen and do anything he desired, any time and any place. Gyge 's decided to use the power of the ring to achieve his goals and live what to him was believed to be a good life. In his case, this 'good life ' required the seduction of the queen, murder of the king, and seizure of the kingdom. In the case of someone who would choose to use the ring, the next question to be answered is how they would use the ring. Whether someone makes the initial decision to use the ring solely for just and moral purposes depends on their individual morals. Furthermore the justifications in which one uses the ring varies greatly depending on what they define to be moral, good, and unjust. One may use the ring solely to further one 's own agenda, or one may use the power of the ring to do well for the world. Perhaps doing well for the world involves doing well for oneself. Perhaps using the ring for only applications concerning one 's self is just and moral. That which is unjust is anything which injures any individual, physically, mentally or spiritually, and does not possess the ability to defend themselves. In that regard, were I to use the ring, I would aspire to use the ring only for purposes that did not …show more content…
Politics. Business. Media. Celebrities. All suffer the consequences of using power. While we as a society often focus on the physical manifestation of these consequences, that which is most worth noting is the effect to one 's being. In modern society, every day is a power struggle. With an exponentially increasing population, there is only so much power, so much opportunity, to go around. It is for this reason that when someone is presented with any form of power, so often that power is accepted. The same would apply to the ring of Gyges were such a thing to exist. The sad thing about this trend however is that this particular power indefinitely corrupts the individual. One can have the purest of intents, but it is often the lack of power that produces said pure intent in the first place. To have the power of deceit thrust upon oneself would challenge their intentions and as seen in politics and celebrities today, warp an individual to seek more and more power, to give up on justice and seek only physical happiness for themselves. Myself, I am inclined to think I could handle the weight of power the ring would bestow upon me. I feel confident that I could assume such a power and use it for just and moral purposes. Having the power of deception and continuing to seek equality, justice and morality is the true path to knowledge, happiness, and a fulfilling life. While I feel confident I