The Ring of Gyges

The story as told by Plato

The story is told by Plato in his book The Republic Why be moral? The characters are: – Socrates who supports the moral life – Glaucon and Adeimantus who play devil’s advocate supporting the immoral life

Activity 1 Put on your ring – draw it Imagine that this ring makes you invisible Stand up Find a partner – someone you have not often spoken to before Discuss with them the following question: If you were invisible what would you do? Mill and Grab excercise

Activity 1 continued Choose another partner – again someone you don’t know well. Discuss with them the following: What is the nicest thing you would do with invisibility? Move to another partner Discuss: What is the worst thing you would allow yourself to do?

Activity 1 conclusion Find another partner Discuss: What is morality? Last time - go to another partner. Discuss: Why be moral?

The Ring of Gyges To argue his case Glaucon proposes a story: – A Shepherd discovers a ring which makes the wearer invisible – He uses this power for personal enrichment. – Seduces the queen of the kingdom, kills the king and becomes ruler himself. Glaucon concludes that even a moral man will eventually become immoral as long as he believes he cannot be punished for his actions.

Glaucon goes on to say Morality is only meant as a balance between unlimited power and powerlessness But fails to produce anything good Conclusion – – So why be moral? – The moral life is the life chosen by the weak

Activity 2 Get into groups made up of people in different grades Discuss the story and come up with a series of questions about morality The Community of Philosophical Enquiry

The Community of Enquiry What are the questions you have come up with? Vote on one question to discuss Philosophy works towards more precise and clear thinking about a complex issue of concern. (P4C)

The Lord of the Rings – JR Tolkein Each character who comes into contact with The Ring is presented with a choice – to accept, reject or remain indifferent to the temptation of it.

Boromir Warrior, nobleman – presented with the temptation of The Ring he accepted it.

Gollum Hobbit turned bad by accepting The Ring.

Galadriel The Lady of Lothlorien – a strong moral person who is offered The Ring, but realising what it could do to her, she remains indifferent to it.

Frodo The Ring bearer who was slowly drawn into The Ring’s power and in the end gave into the temptation of keeping it rather than destroying it.

The temptation in LOTR is for power Think of other characters and their relationship to The Ring. What were the solutions to this great desire? For Galadriel it was both giving a gift of a star to Frodo, and her own self knowledge and mastery of herself. This was Tolkein’s view

Back to the Philosophical Enquiry In groups discuss of our question Respond as a community – Eg “I think because”, “I agree/disagree with...because ” Come up with a hypothesis (suggested answer to our question). How can you confirm this hypothesis? Examples? Counter examples?

Review the hypotheses Have you answered the question? Consider alternative hypotheses Make a philosophical judgement by choosing the best hypothesis.

Plato’s view – Morality is best! That immorality leads to corruption of the soul leading to mental and emotional anguish Morality leads to inner peace and salvation of the soul.

Plenary How has this enquiry affected your thinking? Will it affect your lives? Have you come up with any new ideas? Have you seen a new view point? The End