Plato's allegory of the ring - Alex Gendler
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TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
More than 2,000 years ago, the Greek philosopher Plato recounted the legend of the Ring of Gyges in “Republic.” The story of the ring surfaces as the philosopher, Socrates, and his student discuss why people act justly: is it because it’s what’s right? Or because it’s a convention that’s enforced through punishment and reward? Alex Gendler shares the allegory of the ill-gotten, magical ring.
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Additional Resources for you to Explore
Read an in-depth analysis of Plato’s argument, see how it relates to other parts of Plato’s philosophy like the Theory of Forms, and check out some challenges and rebuttals from contemporary philosophers. The best way to understand the story of the Ring of Gyges, however, is to dive right into Plato’s Republic, where the parable originally appears.
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Meet The Creators
- Educator
- Alex Gendler
- Director
- Vitalii Nebelskyi, and action creative agency
- Narrator
- Addison Anderson
- Storyboard Artist
- Olya Barabakh
- Animator
- Teymuraz Bzikadze, Olya Barabakh
