Cicero: On Duties
Cicero's discussion of duties is divided into three books. In the first book, he discusses the nature of moral rightness. For Cicero, an action is morally right if and only if it is in accordance with the laws of Nature. All of our moral obligations arise from the demands of four virtues. The virtue of wisdom requires that we pursue truth and knowledge. The virtue of justice requires giving each person his due, and treating others with the generosity that is required to facilitate social cooperation. The virtue of courage requires developing a "noble and invincible spirit" that does not give in to fear of danger. Finally, the virtue of temperance requires us to exercise moderation and self-control in matters relating to our bodily appetites. These four virtues together comprise the virtue of propriety. In Cicero's view, all that is proper is morally right, and all that is morally right is proper.
In the second book, Cicero discusses expedience, which concerns matters related to the comforts of life, including wealth, influence, and enjoyment. Cicero argues that the virtues mentioned in book one contribute to expedience. Justice, for example, is expedient because it is necessary for social cooperation, which benefits all parties. In the third book, Cicero argues further that the requirements of moral rightness and expedience can never diverge. Indeed, he suggests, even considering the possibility that they could diverge is immoral. He argues for this claim on the basis of his views concerning the laws of Nature. Immorality, Cicero claims, is repugnant to Nature. But because expedience is in accordance with Nature, expedience can never be immoral and immorality can never be expedient. Furthermore, acting immorally debases the moral character of the agent, which Cicero claims is the worst punishment of all. Cicero concludes his discussion with a number of examples intended to show that what is expedient always coincides with what is morally right.
-Describe the story of the ring of Gyges. What conclusions does Cicero draw about the story? Do you agree with his assessment?

Question

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The Answer is The story of the ring of Gyges comes from Plato's Republic, but Cicero also discusses it in his work On Duties. In the story, Gyges, a shepherd, discovers a ring that grants him the power of invisibility. With this newfound power, Gyges is able to commit all sorts of immoral acts without fear of being caught or punished. He ultimately uses the ring to seduce the queen, kill the king, and take over the kingdom.

Cicero uses this story to illustrate his point that moral rightness and expedience can never diverge. He argues that even if Gyges was able to escape the consequences of his actions through the use of the ring, he would still suffer internally from the debasement of his moral character. Cicero concludes that the story of Gyges demonstrates that acting immorally may seem expedient in the short term, but it ultimately leads to a loss of moral integrity and personal happiness.

I agree with Cicero's assessment of the story of Gyges. The story serves as a powerful reminder that moral character and integrity are essential for true happiness and well-being. While it may be tempting to pursue expedient actions that benefit us in the short term, the long-term consequences of acting immorally can have a detrimental impact on our personal well-being and happiness. Therefore, it is important to always consider the moral implications of our actions and strive to align our behavior with what is morally right.

Cicero: on Duties Cicero's Discussion of Duties Is Divided into Three Books. in Three