The nature of leadership and the human qualities that promote or
inhibit it have a long history in Western thought and remain a
central concern in modern societies. Crises in leadership may arise
either from human failings or social complexities that defeat or
reject those most qualified to lead. David Cawthon examines
classical thinkers from Plato to Nietzsche to offer a historical
and philosophical perspective on the intrinsic qualities of
leadership, and how these qualities are coded into the souls of
some, but not of others.
Cawthon begins by tracing the ancient roots of the inquiry into
character and leadership. He guides the reader through what Plato
believed was the "code of the soul" of the truly successful leader
and Aristotle's idea of the golden mean that enabled freemen to
rule. Turning to the Christian period, the author examines the
thought of St. Thomas Aquinas who, like Aristotle, perceived a
natural hierarchy among humans with the rational power of their
intellect enabling a few to lead the many. St. Augustine, a
Platonist and idealist, propounded the unity of faith and reason in
a discussion of the nature of human activity in the City of Man and
the City of God.
Cawthon shows how the rise of secular philosophy occasions an
opposition between individualist and collectivist approaches to
leadership. The rationalist Thomas Hobbes upheld absolute monarchy,
but recognized a restricted social contract under an autocratic
king. John Locke, in his turn, presented natural laws and a social
contract based upon the consent of the governed. Rousseau
pragmatically favored "guided democracy" under the manipulation of
the most persuasive individual. Hegel, drawing on the fundamental
role that conflict played in the evolution from antitheses to a new
synthesis, placed emphasis on duty, not individualism, while Marx,
of course, believed the dialectic of history would favor the
proletariat which would rule through party apparatus. Cawthon
concludes with a discussion of Nietzsche, who rejected everything
that came before in favor of the raw will to power by the superman
who is clearly, demonstrably superior.
Cawthon's historical approach is geared toward extrapolating
lessons and examples for contemporary contexts of leaderships. In
each of his chapters he points out the cardinal qualities modern
leaders should possess both in politics and the workplace.
Philosophical Foundations of Leadership will be of interest to
philosophers, as well as management specialists, intellectual
historians, and students of business and organization.
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