From Glaucon to Hobbes

When Glaucon, Plato’s brother argues with Socrates about being just and unjust, Glaucon brings up a good point. He suggests that since everybody is only looking out for themselves stealing and any other means of self benefit is acceptable. It doesn’t matter who gets hurt as long as you are benefited from the situation. This means however, that everybody will be stealing and committing other dirty deeds which could be very unpleasant to you, thus we agree with our community that we will not steal or whatever else as long as you receive the same treatment. This is called the social contract theory. We all agree to treat each other with respect only so our own self-interest will not be affected. Glaucon brought up an interesting story to demonstrate his point of view. It involved a ring that had the power to make you invisible. If you gave this ring to a descent person and a scoundrel. They would probably both use the rings to their advantage even if it meant hurting others because of this fact that they wont get caught. This raises the question that if a descent person used the ring in these selfish ways then being a good person is just a disguise to who we all really are which is selfish cheating lying beings. This means that these traits is what defines us as humans.