Sergio Lopez-Peralta

Professor Larry B. Friis

BUS 1050-Sp17
E-Portfolio Assignment

My Renaissance

It was years before I finally returned to school in 2016, this exodus and then
return to collegiate pursuits has been a renaissance. The term Renaissance is
defined by Merriam-Webster as a period of vigorous intellectual
activity. An increase in intellect leads to an evolution, or change, in an
individuals personal paradigm about the world around them. A renaissance
then can be used to describe a broadening of an individuals perception of
reality. The added measure of knowledge and understanding that came to
me throughout the course came from the literature of Plato. Though he was
born over two thousand years ago, his form of expressing ideas that broaden
ones ability to perceive reality through symbolism is outstanding. Two works
of literature from Plato began the process of intellectual activity, the Story of
Er and the Ring of Gyges. It is his work The Republic, particularly the Story of
the Ring of Gyges, that expanded my understanding to a very thought-
provoking reality; even the most righteous of individuals do that which is in
their own self-interest when given the opportunity. The Story of Er is another
example of how an individual does that which is in their own self-interest,
especially if it influences the hereafter.

In the Ring of Gyges, Plato describes a man who finds himself with the power
to become invisible. This power is granted to him through the use of a Ring
that he attained from the tomb of a man. This man was a Sheppard, this is
important because a Sheppard was perceived as a man of virtue and justice.
An individual by societies standards with a continuous pursuit and desire for
justice. After the power to become invisible is attained by this Sheppard he
does a number of things that would be considered unjust by society in order
to attain power and wealth. He does so understanding that he would not be
caught due to this power that is granted to him through the ring. Why would
a Sheppard do this? Why would power change an individuals desire for
justice? Think about this, can any man who is given a god-like power imagine
himself unchanged and steadfast in their pursuit of justice?

No man, no matter how virtuous he might be perceived to be would deny

himself the opportunity to take what they desire if they could do so safe from
consequences. So, what prevents the individual from doing this when they do
not have the ability to escape the consequences or perceptions that come
from injustice. Maybe even more important is the question that is then left
to answer when considering this Sheppards story, who defines justice?
Society? Religion? Government? So, is then reality a social construct? Is
justice a social construct? What changes when an individual understands this
principle? Like I had mentioned previously, a renaissance is a broadening of
an individuals perception of reality. Plato is arguing that the reality of human
nature is to pursue that which is in their own self-interest, even those who
are most righteous do not escape this reality. How would this understanding
then change your perception about the actions that are taken by others?
How would this change your perception of the reality of the world around
you? These are all questions I began to ask myself as I read the Story of
Gyges, and more importantly, I asked myself who defines justice?

Plato also writes he Myth of Er, the story of a man who has the opportunity to
see the hereafter. Er sees the judgement that comes to those whos
characters were perceived as unjust by the gods and the benefit to those
whos characters were deemed worthy. He sees those who are given the
opportunity to choose another life because they were perceived as just. What
follows is the revealing of the true character of many individuals who were
perceived as having the desire to pursue justice. These individuals then live
a life that is less than what would be considered just by societies
standards. So then who can truly judge an individuals character? By whos
standards should they be weighed against? What changes when someone
understands that their character will be weighed on the scales of justice?
Does that make an individual want to continually pursue that which is just?
All of these were things that I had to personally consider when reading the
Myth of Er.

Each of these works of literature broadened my understanding about reality.

After reading these works of literature by Plato I understood more about
some of the questions that one has to consider in order to think critically.
After reading the works of Plato the question still stands, who defines reality?
Is it a social construct? The reality is, in business and in social venues;
people do that which is in their own self-interest whether just of unjust.