The myth of Gyges has been a central philosophical thought experiment for millennia, most famously recounted by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato in the Republic. Gyges was a shepherd who stumbled upon a magical ring that granted him the power to become invisible. With this newfound power, Gyges was able to commit a myriad of crimes without consequence, and eventually become the ruler of his kingdom. Plato used this story as a means to explore the moral implications of having absolute power, and whether a person would choose to do good or evil in such a situation. In this essay, I will discuss Plato's account of the myth of Gyges, and compare it to the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Ant-Man, which focuses on Scott Lang's choice to become a hero when bestowed with powers via his Ant-Man suit.
At the heart of Plato's myth of Gyges is the notion of absolute power corrupting absolutely. Gyges, being invisible, is able to do whatever he wishes without fear of consequence. This lack of consequence corrupts Gyges, as he chooses to use his newfound power to gain wealth and power, eventually becoming king. Plato presents this story as a thought experiment, asking the reader to consider whether or not they would be able to resist the temptation to use absolute power for selfish gains. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Ant-Man, Scott Lang is given powers via his Ant-Man suit, allowing him to shrink to the size of an ant and control an army of the insects. Like Gyges, Lang is faced with the temptation of using these powers for personal gain, such as stealing money from the villainous Yellowjacket. However, unlike Gyges, Lang chooses to use his powers for good, becoming a hero and ultimately thwarting Yellowjacket's plans.
This comparison between the myth of Gyges and Ant-Man highlights a key difference between the two stories. While both characters are faced with similar temptations, Gyges ultimately succumbs to them, while Lang is able to resist. This difference reflects Plato's notion that the moral character of an individual is more important than the power they possess. Without a moral foundation, the temptation of absolute power can be too great. However, if a person has a strong moral foundation, they can resist the temptation of power and make the right choices.
In conclusion, this comparison between the myth of Gyges and Ant-Man emphasizes the importance of moral character when it comes to making decisions. Gyges is unable to resist the temptation of power, while Lang is able to use his powers for good, ultimately demonstrating that a strong moral character is essential for making the right choices. This comparison highlights how Plato's teachings on the myth of Gyges remain relevant to this day, and can be seen in many aspects of modern culture.
Produced by Clint Warren - Aided by ChatGPT
Comments