Essay - Philosophy Leadership According to Plato and Machiavelli the Qualities of...

Philosophy

Leadership According to Plato and Machiavelli

***** qualities of an ideal leader are not as clear as we might immediately think. In fact, if it really were all that easy to determine out the characteristics ***** the ideal leader, *****n there probably wouldn't be so many books published each year on the subject. Underst*****ing the best qual*****ies of a *****, ********** what makes *****m *****, is not an easy task. How we define the best types of leadership is indicative ***** the kind of society and world in which we want ***** live, as well as the degree to which we ***** willing to accept the realities of human nature and human society. The demands placed ***** the individual in a le*****dership by these ********** will influence the degree to which the individual is capable of living up to the idealized version of leadership that we lay out for him or her. In fact, even consulting some of Western philosophy's greatest minds leaves us with wildly differing opinions as ***** what constitutes the perfect leader. Contrasting ***** viewpoints of Plato's philosopher-king with Machiavelli's prince suggests ***** extreme variation that can emerge when we attempt to characterize the ideal leader.

Plato's views on leadership can largely be derived from The Republic, arguably one ***** ***** most significant works in the history of Western philosophy. ***** The Republic, which describes the creation ***** an ***** city, Plato discusses ***** principles ***** would make such a politic*****l entity so ideal, including the nature of its leadership structure. For *****, ***** role ***** his republic's leaders was to reduce civil strive through concerted effort. By acting impartially and fairly, the leaders of Plato's imagined realm would work together to promote harmony in the land for all people (Korab-Karpowicz). In ***** estimation, *****n, the role of ***** leader in ***** is ***** equitably create a better and more harmonious condition ***** all citizens.

But the path to this style ***** ***** is more complex than simply expecting *****s to naturally act so virtuously. Plato recognized that few individuals are ever really w*****e or prudent enough to lead. He suggested ***** these skills be cultivated in those few ***** that display an innate ability to master them. ***** other words, ***** believed that leadership required leaders who possessed highly developed skills and morals ***** could be applied to the needs of society. ***** argued that managing a nation—or business, or university, or local club—***** a craft that ***** a very particular skill set. Leaders needed to be ***** trained in order to fulfill ***** ***** ***** their position would inevitably place upon ***** (Korab-Karpowicz). ***** this, Plato suggested that the entire educational structure ***** society ***** designed to gradually weed out ***** individuals ***** were unable of meeting the high requirements of leadership roles. Only those with the ability to develop *****'s ***** of practical wisdom ***** advance to become a kind of ***** that ***** rule through impartial intellect and fair concern for the