Top 9 Highlights:
- Plato was wrong about philosophers being the best qualified people to be kings. The main reason why is that even when they have good ideas, they are often so far out of touch that they result in disaster on implementation.
- The ship of state metaphor from Plato’s Republic is used to describe the state as a ship with leaders as captains and the people as the crew. Made famous by Plato but not originating with him. Good metaphor for understanding the working of a political body.
- Philosophers, who focus on abstract concepts and long-range issues, are not suited to be effective leaders because they lose touch with the practical concerns of the people. When their ideas are wedded to someone with firm footing in the real world, they become practical.
- The best navigators for the ship of state, are those who have one foot in the real world as well as a deep understanding of philosophy, law, economics, and government navigation. Most likely, an action oriented person with grounding in philosophy.
- Philosophers lack the practicality and ability to bring abstract ideas into existence, making them unfit to be effective rulers. Again, being so focused up they forget not only how to become the leader but what is best for the people in reality.
- Practical and realistic individuals who can bridge the gap between abstract concepts and the needs of the people are necessary for successful governance.
- Plato and Socrates were wrong in advocating for philosophers as kings, as history has shown the negative consequences of philosopher-kings. Any time abstract concepts and their proponents have taken power it has resulted in disaster E.G China, Russia.
- In the present day, there is a prevalence of influential individuals with a philosophical mindset, leading to impractical and unsuccessful policies. You see this as their ideas only make sense to those inside their bubble.
- The solution lies in having intelligent individuals with practical experience and conviction, who can translate abstract ideas into practical solutions for governance.