May 19, 2023 09:00:00

What is the origin of the mysterious power of the 'ring' in the story?

The 'ring' is a mystery mainly in fantasy works such as

J.R.R. Tolkien 's fantasy novel 'The Lord of the Rings ' and the movie series ' Lord of the Rings ' based on 'The Lord of the Rings'. It is often a key item. TED-Ed , a YouTube channel that animates science and history, explains the legend of `` Gyges' Ring '', which is considered to be the origin of the story that the ring has mysterious power, and the philosophical discussions related to it. .

Plato's allegory of the ring-Alex Gendler-YouTube


The origin of stories such as 'a ring with mysterious powers seduces those who are blinded by its power' dates back more than 2000 years. Plato , an ancient Greek philosopher, takes up the legend of the ' Ring of Gyges ' with supernatural power in his work ' The State '.

In 'The State',

Socrates , Plato's teacher, and Glaucon , Plato's brother and disciple of Socrates, discuss 'Why do humans behave justly?' As we continue to debate whether this is the right thing to do, or whether it is a nature motivated by punishment or reward, Glaucon tells the story of the Ring of Gyges.

A long time ago there was a shepherd named Gyges. One day, when Gyges was tending his flock of sheep, an earthquake struck and the earth split open, causing him to fall into the depths of the earth.

As he fell, Gyges found a horse made of bronze.

The horse was a door, and when the door was opened, the corpse of a giant was lying there. And on the corpse's finger was a golden ring. Gyges removes the ring from the corpse and goes back to where he came from.

When Gyges returned home safely and was fiddling with the gold ring, when he casually turned the ring on his finger, Gyges suddenly became invisible. If you rotate the ring backwards, it will reappear.

Enraged by the power of the ring, Gyges comes up with a wicked plan.

Gyges became an emissary to the king of

Lydia , a nation that prospered in BC, and the power of the ring allowed him to roam the royal palace unnoticed.

Gyges incites the Queen of Lydia to betray her husband, the King of Lydia, and plans to take over the country.

As a result, Gyges, who was a good shepherd, killed the king and became king himself. Through this legend, Glaucon conveys the idea that 'human beings can profit from their injustice.'

Glaucon asked the question, ``If a man of reason could have the same fate as Gyges, just as he could become invisible and move freely in the palace, would he be able to obtain his desires without being affected by anything?'' We divide “good things” into three categories.

The first 'good thing' is what we want for ourselves, just pleasure, without harm or suffering.

The second is something we want to bring about some good outcome, which can be hard or painful in itself, and includes things like exercise and medication.

The third one is good in itself and gives us good results. Knowledge, health, etc.

Glaucon argued that practices such as 'justice' and 'fairness' belonged to the second category, 'which brings good results, but which itself entails suffering and pain'. In other words, Glaucon concludes that the only reason people behave morally is because of 'external influences', since the right action is not something they actively choose to do.

Glaucon argues that it is important to appear moral, not to actually be moral. Conversely, Glaucon states that people behave less morally when they use the power of the ring like Gyges does so that no one can see them.

On the other hand, Socrates denied Glaucon's claim and argued that justice and fairness belonged to the third category, ``which is good in itself and brings good results for us.'' is told in

Socrates argued that the human

soul is divided into three qualities: intellect (Logos), grit (Thumos), and desire (Epithymia). Intelligence guides man to truth and knowledge, and along the way he is influenced by morally correct, ambitious, and courageous grit, and by more basic, physical needs, desires.

Philosophia, according to Socrates, leads to the most just and happy state of being, guided by reason and by controlling desires with grit. Therefore, even in cases such as the Ring of Gyges, where desires can be carried out without retribution, they do not act selfishly.

On the other hand, those who cannot control their desires with grit are called ``dictators'', and those like Gyges, who succumb to their desires and obtain power and wealth through dishonesty, ``lost the harmony of their souls''. says Socrates. According to Socrates, we cannot be truly happy if we are ruled by our basic desires instead of being guided by our intellect.

Similarly, the ancient Chinese philosopher

Confucius argued that ``behaving right can be profitable.''

On the other hand,

Thomas Hobbes , who is considered a representative of early modern philosophy in the 17th century, argued that human nature is violent and selfish. , expresses that in a state of nature without a political body, one falls into a “ war of all against all ”.

In addition,

John Locke , who was a central figure in 17th-century philosophy like Hobbes, argued that human beings are innately obligated to do good, and that in order to secure their natural rights, it is necessary to join civil society. You agree to participate.

Discussions about the nature and desires of human goodness surrounding the 'Ring of Gyges' have been told for thousands of years since ancient times. A ring with mysterious powers always confuses people and asks questions.