There, he used the ring's power to commit adultery with the queen, murder the king, and assume the throne. It is only the rule of law, Plato at first proposes, that prevents us from harming others to benefit ourselves. We asked the students in our class, one by one, what they would do if they had a ring that would afford them invisibility. Not surprisingly, most said that they would use it to benefit themselves - leave home in the middle of the night to catch up with friends, take an unlicensed joyride in Dad's car, spy on friends or teachers. We considered, but fairly quickly discarded, the notion of serving those who might be in need.
Visibility is a powerful factor in the shifting equation of ethical action.
Plato, of course, does not subscribe to the simplistic notions he outlined for the blinded Glaucon. Not because we fear the consequences of choosing evil, but because, at some level, we recognize we would rather live with those who, of their own accord, also have chosen good. Instead, we hope students at Prep will use these guidelines to internalize the standards of living responsibly in a community. Thanks to teacher Sally Dunn for her sure-handed guidance through some of Plato's teachings.