Case: The Ring of Gyges
What would you do with the power of invisibility? Would you spy on your favorite celebrity, pull pranks, or sneak into movies? Would you rob banks, harm your enemies, or commit murder? Where would it end? In this discussion, you will explore ideas of ethical self-governance and the responsibility of leaders. These are considerations you can apply in your future career should you ever find yourself in a position with unchecked power.
To complete this discussion, first, read pages 3–6 in The Ring of Gyges, then, for your initial post, address all of the following questions in 1–2 sentences each:
- What would you do if you had the ring?
- What do you think most people would do with the ring?
- What criteria would you use to determine ethical and unethical uses for the ring? How would you control your own behavior with the knowledge that you can’t get caught and there would be no lawful consequences?
- It could be said that leaders today have the power of the ring to hide information from the public. Is this a good or bad thing? Why?
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txwes_standard_discussion_rubric.pdf
