Essay Available:
Pages:
2 pages/≈550 words
Sources:
-1
Style:
APA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 7.2
Topic:
Links are at bottom
Essay Instructions:
In Chapter 1.6 Byers and Stanberry state, “Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle tackled fundamental questions of human existence with such insight that their ideas have remained relevant and universal even at the dawn of artificial intelligence.”
https://opened(dot)tesu(dot)edu/ethicalleadership2edition/chapter/1-6/
https://opened(dot)tesu(dot)edu/ethicalleadership2edition/chapter/1-10/
https://opened(dot)tesu(dot)edu/ethicalleadership2edition/chapter/1-11/
https://opened(dot)tesu(dot)edu/ethicalleadership2edition/chapter/1-12/
In Chapter 1.10 Zyglidopoulos notes, “Plato maintains that philosophers are those most suited to be good rulers (both effective and ethical leaders) because they possess the privilege of knowing what is good and what is not, and what a just and virtuous city should look like, something they have come to know after a long and hard period of study” (emphasis added). In The Republic (Chapter 1.11), Plato defines “the good” as the moral virtues of wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice, which he argues are fundamental characteristics of a leader. This emphasis on moral virtue or willingness to “do the right thing” undergirds our modern conceptions of ethical leadership.
In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (Chapter 1.6), he focuses on happiness and virtue, writing, “[i]f we consider what the function of man is, we find that happiness is a virtuous activity of the soul.” Aristotle’s writings form the basis of virtue ethics, which remains a popular contemporary ethical framework.
So, what can we learn from these ancient philosophies about what it means to be an ethical leader today? In an essay of 500 to 750 words (2 to 3 pages), share your thoughts on the following prompts. Cite your sources using either MLA or APA Style.
Consider the role that knowledge of the good plays in ethical leadership. According to Plato, as illustrated in the Allegory of the Cave (Chapter 1.12), those with knowledge of the good who have escaped the cave of ignorance and understand moral virtue should be chosen to lead. What do you think of Plato’s argument? How important is knowledge of the good or moral virtue in an ethical leader? What sort of resistance to leaving the cave does Plato describe and how might this apply in a contemporary leadership setting? What issues may arise if a leader lacks knowledge of “the good”?
Describe virtue ethics in your own words. How important to you is virtue in an ethical leader? Why? According to Aristotle, how might a leader build a virtuous character? How might virtue ethics aid in decision-making when serving in a leadership role in today’s world? [MO 1.2]
Essay Sample Content Preview:
Analyzing Ethical Leadership Through Plato’s and Aristotle’s Ideologies
Your Name
Subject and Section
Professor’s Name
Date
Ethical leadership can be best described as fostering moral values and understanding what constitutes “good” based on the foundation put down by Plato and Aristotle. In his part of the Republic, in his “Allegory of the Cave,” Plato suggests that those who have come out of the cave of ignorance and gained knowledge of the good should be selected to rule (McAleer, n.d.). Aristotle supports the idea of virtuous character through practical wisdom, as evidenced by the following statements. Thus, the lessons that people of ancient societies obtained are still relevant to today's world and ethical leadership. This paper aims to discuss the concept of moral virtue as a leadership quality and as influenced by Plato and Aristotle and how the two philosophers' theories continue to be applicable in the existing leadership systems.
Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” describes people who have come out of ignorance and received the concept of the good. They should rule society. The philosopher-kings would be endowed with all the characteristics, including wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice, to steer others appropriately. Ethical leaders are formed in this way because they know what is right and wrong and are disposed to do what is right (Zyglidopoulos, 2021). However, Plato also points out that some are unable or unwilling to ascend the cave of ignorance; they want to stay as they are comfortable. This resistance was captured in modern leadership, where some leaders are reluctant to embrace ethical changes or deny themselves uncomfortable truths. When managers are unfamiliar with what is considered “the good,” they are likely to make wrong ethical choices, leading to organizational collapse and insecuri...
Get the Whole Paper!
Not exactly what you need?
Do you need a custom essay? Order right now: