In the seventh century B.C., about 2,700 years ago, a shepherd named Gyges was said to be living in the kingdom of Lydia, situated in modern-day Turkey.
According to the story of the Ring of Gyges in Book 2 of “The Republic” by Plato (c. 427-348 B.C.), a huge chasm appears in the grassy field where Gyges’ sheep graze.
Gyges goes into the chasm and finds a golden ring, which has the magical power to make its owner invisible. Using this ring, Gyges concocts a plot and kills the king.
If you were Gyges and could become invisible, what would you do? Would you take advantage of the situation to pursue your own self-interest, no matter how vile? Or would you follow the dictates of your conscience instead?
Plato raised this subject to explore what justice means for humans.
I suppose you have already guessed where this column is going.
This is about Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers who have been amassing slush funds, unbeknownst to the public.
At long last, the Diet on May 22 started deliberating on proposed revisions to the Political Fund Control Law.
What one cannot miss is the undisguised reluctance of the LDP to cooperate. Especially when asked to explain how hundreds of millions of yen in “policy activity expenses” were being spent every year, the party appears determined to stonewall.
Words failed me when I saw the LDP’s draft revision bill, which states that the revised law will require the lawmakers to disclose only the items listed under expenses, and no receipts will be necessary.
That is tantamount to ensuring that no one will ever know how the money was being spent.
Remaining dishonest about its slush funds is like the LDP’s answer to Plato’s question concerning justice.
Politicians who have betrayed us, the people, must never be entrusted with the Ring of Gyges.
—The Asahi Shimbun, May 23
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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
VOX POPULI: LDP politicians can’t be trusted to act nobly with ‘Ring of Gyges’
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23.05.2024
In the seventh century B.C., about 2,700 years ago, a shepherd named Gyges was said to be living in the kingdom of Lydia, situated in modern-day Turkey.
According to the story of the Ring of Gyges in Book 2 of “The Republic” by Plato (c. 427-348 B.C.), a huge chasm appears in the grassy field where Gyges’ sheep graze.
Gyges goes into the chasm and finds a golden ring, which has the magical power to make its owner invisible. Using this ring, Gyges concocts a plot and kills the king.
If you were Gyges and could become........
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