Glaucon's Theory of Morality

Paper Summary:

The paper explains Glaucon's thesis that any person, if free from the possibility of punishment or retribution, would use immoral measures to fulfill their needs or desires, as it is easier. The paper describes the story "The Ring of Gyges" that provides the basis for Glaucon's structure and argument and looks at how Glaucon argues that the life of the unjust man is more productive and beneficial than the just man. The paper then points out the fundamental problems with Glaucon's thesis that render his ideas totally inapplicable and irrelevant to society today.

From the Paper:

"Glaucon, one of Plato's characters in his work The Republic, believes that every person, if given the opportunity to escape the consequences, would choose immoral rather than moral behavior to achieve their goals. He asserts that immoral deeds, by their nature, are more productive than choosing to obey the laws of good conduct and it is only because of their consequences that they're deemed unproductive. For if one was above the law, above the consequences that is, that person could use whatever means necessary in the quest for their ambitions. "They do so because every one thinks that, in the individual case, injustice is much more profitable than justice; and they are right in so thinking, as the speaker of this speech will maintain" (Cahn, Markie, 67)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Steven M. Cahn and Peter Markie. 2006 Ethics: History, Theory and Contemporary Issues - Third Edition. New York, Oxford. Oxford University Press.

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