While we may wish for world peace, wish for an end to poverty, and wish for an increase of riches in our lives, the most discouraging aspect of this discussion is our willingness to consider these problems beyond the realm of our influence, be it by a lack of support, money, or feasibility. To reverse this tragedy of thought, we need a significant change. Not an addition, nor a revision, but an overhaul. For this I identified the two most common frustrations of our modern civilization, and they are politicians and bankers.
Politicians rarely make action of their illustrious promises, while bankers manipulate and deceive the common people for their financial gain. Looking at the worst of them, it is an embarrassment to call them the beacons of our society, instead personifying the corruption of our values. And no matter the influence of the respectable politicians, it is the most corrupt and unintelligent of them that populate the airwaves and conversation. We cannot entrust them to solve the problems of the world, nor do they have the time, as they are attempting to fix the problems their predecessors have left. As for bankers, they believe in the theories of economics without understanding the limitations of reality. As Frederick Nietzche said, they are "theoretical men," failing to comprehend the suffering that results of their greed and selfishness. And so the problem remains, how do we ensure that we will be led by the best minds among us? Plato suggested that we make philosophers our rulers, as they are the ones who are closest to understanding the complexities of the world. It isn't a terrible idea, we are exchanging the freedom of choosing our leaders for that of stability. Thomas Hobbes proposed a similar thesis, albeit a stricter one, and one may argue that it also has merit. In a modern setting, certain adjustments need to be made, but the idea remains concrete. I would suggest that each philosopher be elected by a council of academics and allowed to reign for a term lasting between 5-10 years, to maintain a freshness of ideas. These leaders would be beholden to no one, instead focusing on ideas and their realization. They would not worry about public perception or being "television friendly," nor would they be influenced by lobbyists or special interest groups. They would be independent and free to govern for the good of the populace. It is here that our goals, before so abstract, suddenly are thrust to the forefront of reality. Funds could be allocated yearly to eradicate poverty in Africa and Asia, and philosophers could themselves travel to these nations and promote intellectual revolutions of their own, sparked simply by the unleashing of ideas. This is the key. Unleashing ideas. There is no shortage of ideas, nor should we anticipate one. It is advocating the necessity of thinking that rids the mind of the superficial and allows us to see what was intended for us to see. We must never lose sight of this again.
I totally agree. Politicians nowadays are just in it for themselves and nothing else. They don’t want to make a change; the only change they want to make is the amount of zero’s added to their bank account. However I’m questioning whether or not philosophers should be our future leaders. They make talk the talk but do they walk the walk? Philosophers are thinkers but we need our leaders to take action. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea and how it covers most of the issues that live in our world. I have a good example of the politicians you talk about and that is the current President of Pakistan who speaks of illustrious promises. He was lucky to be elected as President by the people who felt sympathetic of his assassinated wife. This therefore leads me to a doubt that people are crazy for power and may go astray when they have it, such as the dramatic pitfall of Pakistan's economy since Zaradari took office. Should they really be put in office for more than 4 years?
ReplyDeleteCharles great article, I like the how instead of aiming at a whole variety of issues, you aim at a all emcompassing one. Politicians and well politics in general are as trustable as a feral creature, you never know when they will act out without any thought besides their own. I also like how you used these philosophers who brought to light interesting ideas on how society should be led to propogate peace, however I don't think a council would work as it seems to have been bred into our genes to care for ourselves more then others. Just because a philosopher sought these unique ideas does not make them justified to lead a country, also I think that giving people as much power as you suggest would be similar to a monarchy albiet one with a 5 to 10 year term. It will take an idea much bigger then any one philosopher has ever offered to fix this.
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