Image by skeeze from Pixabay
Plato, in his image of utopia, saw it led by a Philosopher King. He even went so far as to say that philosophers should become kings, and that existing kings should make it a point to be diligent, committed students of philosophy (The Republic).
People in the position of ruler (or any leadership role, really) have to continually use their skills of knowing their obligations, prioritizing their lives, ethics, balance, and clear-thinking. These skills don’t come from just reading about the accomplishments of others, or the mythos of the gods. No, these skills are acquired by trying them out, practicing them, failing, recalibrating, and trying again… and again… etc, etc, etc… What I’m saying is that we study the philosophy/ethic THEN put it into practice, THEN observe the results. Modify if necessary.
Musonius Rufus believed that in order for a king to be a good one, he had to already be a philosopher, and that philosophers had to already be kingly people. (Lectures, 8.33.32-34)
The image of the wise, benevolent ruler/leader is one that most cultures have in their cultural consciousness. What we may or may not realize is even kings, with all their power, have to have a sense of duty. There are so many people counting on the king, and the decisions that monarch makes which will, ultimately, influence their lives.
So, your majesty… how are you going to be a ruler in your life? What’s that look like for the next twenty-four hours? What about the next ten minutes?
How about in this moment, your Grace?
(See y’all tomorrow)
People in the position of ruler (or any leadership role, really) have to continually use their skills of knowing their obligations, prioritizing their lives, ethics, balance, and clear-thinking. These skills don’t come from just reading about the accomplishments of others, or the mythos of the gods. No, these skills are acquired by trying them out, practicing them, failing, recalibrating, and trying again… and again… etc, etc, etc… What I’m saying is that we study the philosophy/ethic THEN put it into practice, THEN observe the results. Modify if necessary.
Musonius Rufus believed that in order for a king to be a good one, he had to already be a philosopher, and that philosophers had to already be kingly people. (Lectures, 8.33.32-34)
The image of the wise, benevolent ruler/leader is one that most cultures have in their cultural consciousness. What we may or may not realize is even kings, with all their power, have to have a sense of duty. There are so many people counting on the king, and the decisions that monarch makes which will, ultimately, influence their lives.
So, your majesty… how are you going to be a ruler in your life? What’s that look like for the next twenty-four hours? What about the next ten minutes?
How about in this moment, your Grace?
(See y’all tomorrow)
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