According to Glaucon and Adeimantus, many people believe that doing just deeds is only good for the benefits, including the rewards from the gods and an honorable reputation that comes about from their actions. As a result, nobody believes that just deeds are done because they are inherently good. In Book 2 of Plato’s The Republic, Glaucon and Adeimantus challenge Socrates to demonstrate that justice is inherently good for the soul. In addition, Glaucon makes this challenge more difficult for Socrates by including the Ring of Gyges story, which implies that people only act just since it leads to the reward of a perfect reputation. By presenting this to Socrates, Glaucon and Adeimantus demand Socrates to not only refute this belief, but to also
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With this, Glaucon explains how justice is only praised since it protects the weak, those who are unable to commit injustice without suffering some backlash. In addition, Glaucon describes how strong people would never agree to laws and justice, explaining that “the man who is able to do it and is truly a man would never set down a compact with anyone not to do injustice” (359b). Glaucon goes on to explain how, given “license to do whatever he wants” (359c), they would “catch the just man red-handed going the same way as the unjust man out of a desire to get the better” (359c). Basically, Glaucon implies that justice is shown as a lesser evil that people follow until they have an opportunity to act unjustly without suffering any negative …show more content…
Within this story, Gyges, a righteous shepherd, finds a ring that turns him invisible when the collet was turned inward. Using this power to his advantage, Gyges “committed adultery with the king’s wife and, along with her, set upon the king and killed him” (360a). Since nobody can see his personal desires while he is invisible, Gyges can act as he pleases while still maintaining an outward reputation of being an honorable shepherd and king when he eventually takes the throne after murdering the original king. Through the story of the Ring of Gyges, Glaucon implies that all people would act unrighteous if they were given the ring, even those who claim to be the most righteous and just.
Similarly to how Gyges was shown as a just man even though he was unjust in his private thoughts and actions, Adeimantus also describes how this pattern continues by depicting the man who is unjust privately but is revered publicly. With such popularity, the unjust man “is wealthy and does good to friends and harm to enemies. To the gods he makes sacrifices and sets up votive offerings adequate and magnificent” (362c). By acting in this manner, the unjust man gains rewards in the afterlife, thus showing how rewards are what drives people to act
With this, Glaucon explains how justice is only praised since it protects the weak, those who are unable to commit injustice without suffering some backlash. In addition, Glaucon describes how strong people would never agree to laws and justice, explaining that “the man who is able to do it and is truly a man would never set down a compact with anyone not to do injustice” (359b). Glaucon goes on to explain how, given “license to do whatever he wants” (359c), they would “catch the just man red-handed going the same way as the unjust man out of a desire to get the better” (359c). Basically, Glaucon implies that justice is shown as a lesser evil that people follow until they have an opportunity to act unjustly without suffering any negative …show more content…
Within this story, Gyges, a righteous shepherd, finds a ring that turns him invisible when the collet was turned inward. Using this power to his advantage, Gyges “committed adultery with the king’s wife and, along with her, set upon the king and killed him” (360a). Since nobody can see his personal desires while he is invisible, Gyges can act as he pleases while still maintaining an outward reputation of being an honorable shepherd and king when he eventually takes the throne after murdering the original king. Through the story of the Ring of Gyges, Glaucon implies that all people would act unrighteous if they were given the ring, even those who claim to be the most righteous and just.
Similarly to how Gyges was shown as a just man even though he was unjust in his private thoughts and actions, Adeimantus also describes how this pattern continues by depicting the man who is unjust privately but is revered publicly. With such popularity, the unjust man “is wealthy and does good to friends and harm to enemies. To the gods he makes sacrifices and sets up votive offerings adequate and magnificent” (362c). By acting in this manner, the unjust man gains rewards in the afterlife, thus showing how rewards are what drives people to act