Leadership And Lifetime Learning In Plato And Socrates' Works

It is the desire of every individual to be an essential person in society and be able to influence not only the choices but also the actions of the people in the community in a positive way. This group did not exclude either. When I was a child, I did not have a specific target in life. But as I gained my steps through puberty and adolescence, I realized my ignorance, and as I observed and heard my peers, I began grasping the fact that there is a future that I must endeavour to achieve.

Although I still did not have a specific dream to fulfil, I walked in the shadows of my friends’ thoughts and could alternate between being a lawyer, doctor, teacher, and engineer at different occasions when the question arose. Nevertheless, this has changed to me.

As I grew up, I realized that there is a higher chance of living a better and more prosperous life than the one which I lived throughout my childhood. I could visualize myself as an essential and respectable person in the society who could make a change in the lives of many children and even adults. Although it is only a form, the dream has not disappeared; it still lives in my mind until the day that I will achieve it. My goal is to be the governor of my state. A governor is a political leader that rules over a county or state; an event which is not impossible. According to Plato in his work Allegory of the Cave, people can think, reason, speak and even operate in respect to the future which is only but a form and not reality (Peterson 273).

To make this illustration, Plato compares humans to uneducated prisoners who are bound in a cave without the ability to turn their heads (Peterson 273). Behind them is a burning fire while before them is a wall. In between them and the fire is a parapet through which puppeteers are carrying puppets pass. As they walk, a shadow is cast on the wall, and the slaves can guess the object being moved to base on their prior knowledge of the features of the purpose (Peterson 273). He then concludes that what the slaves can behold is not the real object but only a form of the actual goal (Peterson 273). A dream of the future is also just but away because while it is grasped in the mind of the dreamer, it has not materialized into a real physical thing; and in some cases, may never come to fulfilment!

As a governor, I also desire to execute fairness and justice without any discrimination based on religion, race, ethnicity, or any status. I would want to serve every member of my state, satisfactorily. This service will also be done by fighting all forms of corruption and being honest. I desire to practice moral leadership that will be acceptable to not only humans but to God as well. I will also ensure equal distribution of resources to all members of the society while also upholding the laws of the state and the entire country at large. In reflection, this agrees with Socrates’ description of virtues in his conversation with his friend Crito while in jail; before his execution (Plassart 148). He regards lawfulness to be a virtue that involves upholding all the specific laws in the constitution (Plassart 155).

The idea also differs with Euthyphro’s description of piety, in the article Euthyphro, in which he insists that piety is just doing things which the gods deem as pious (Ambler 233). Other definitions that Euthyphro had for devotion included prosecuting criminals, what is loved by gods, things that are loved by all gods, taking good care of gods and lastly, speaking or acting in a way that pleases the gods during sacrifice and prayer time (Ambler 233).

On the other hand, it is in accordance to Socrates’ description of the same which states that something or action is deemed excellent and pious by men and gods because it has features of loyalty and not the vice versa. In general, virtues are unique and admirable characters that are possessed by an individual (Ambler 233). They can only be seen through actions.

In my dream for my future, I also visualize a life that is as a result of continuous lifetime learning. One thing that I know is that there are things in the presence of a man that cannot be acquired through classroom learning sessions. Such things can only be obtained through daily experiences and relationship with others and with God (Devereux 334). As a result, I endeavour to live a life which upholds moral principles to prepare myself for the leadership position as a governor. An example of such things is a goodly and pleasant virtuous life (Devereux 334). Plato also brings out this idea in his written work of Meno as he recounts the last moments of his teacher, Socrates, and Meno. In the conversation, Meno asks Socrates whether virtue can be learned or not. In response, the wise philosopher responds that attributes are inbuilt characters that cannot be learned in learning set up but rather, are just a gift divinely given to men by God (Devereux 333).

Although this is just but a shadowy form that reflects the state of my mind, it is a long-term goal that I purpose to attain and make to materialize in the future. However, the leadership position of governorship requires traits that cannot be achieved through classroom learning but only through life experiences as confirmed by Socrates in Plato’s work of Meno. I will also execute virtuous and pious deeds that would be just and acceptable to both man and God.