The Ring Of Gyges In Plato's Republic

The “ring of Gyges” refers to a story told by Glaucon found in Plato’s Republic. In Book II, Glaucon uses this story to challenge Socrates’ idea that people are just by nature and argues that many people would rather prefer to act unjust over just. The story he tells talks about a man who stumbles upon a magical ring that makes him invisible whenever he wants, thus giving him the power to do whatever he desired, while not getting caught and still maintaining a good reputation. He ends up seducing the queen, murdering the king, and eventually taking over the kingdom with the help of the magical ring, with no direct consequences he would have faced if he were not invisible. The point of Glaucon’s story is to demonstrate how if anybody, no matter how just or unjust they truly are, had the opportunity to do what they wanted, whether it would harm others or not, and get away with it, they would do it, and if they did not, they would be seen as a fool for not taking up the opportunity.