"For I believe a good king is from the outset and by necessity a philosopher, and the philosopher is from the outset a kingly person." -MUSONIUS RUFUS, LECTURES, 8.33.32-34
(“나는 좋은 왕이 애초부터 필연적으로 철학자이며, 철학자가 애초부터 왕과 같은 인물이라고 믿는다.” -무소니우스 루푸스, 강의, 8.33.32-34)
The Israeli general Herzl Halevi believes that philosophy is essential in his role as a leader and warrior. "People used to tell me that business administration is for the practical life and philosophy is for the spirit," he said. "Through the years I found it is exactly the opposite- I used philosophy much more practically." War and leadership offer an unending series of ethical decisions that require priorities, balance, and clarity. That's what philosophy helps with.
Plato knew this when he imagined a utopia ruled by a philosopher king. "Either philosophers should become kings," he said in The Republic, "or those now called kings should truly and sufficiently undertake philosophy." Marcus Aurelius was quite literally that philosopher king.
What does that have to do with you? ...
