Ethics Leadership

This article is part of an Ethical theory.

Here we speak not of how to lead men, but of what kind of men should lead.

Social Virtues and Leadership

Some elements of disposition are virtues or vices of leadership, and are unimportant for either the solitary or purely acquiescent man. However, almost all men hold some social position and thus partake of leadership to some extent, whether within their family or village, or as part of the feudo-vassalic or ecclesiastic hierarchies. Those virtues specific to, or emphasised in, leadership include the social virtues of wealth, social station, and reputation (i.e. respect, fame, or honour). In addition, the intellectual virtues of foresight, rhetoric, the character virtue of decisiveness, and all virtues shaping consent are more important for leaders, as their desires and consent will coerce their followers' consent to good or evil ends; when these virtues are used to convince others of a course of action, we include them under the virtues of leadership. The virtues of leadership are purely practical in effect, ensuring that this coercion is effective, efficient, unquestioned, and unrivalled.

The Lust for and Abuse of Virtues of Position

It seems that virtues of position are spread more unevenly and competed for more vigorously than any other, for jealousy and coveting of the disposition of material rewards and the reduction of rivals, is greater in this sphere than any other. However, this destruction of others' social worth habituates a man towards vice, so that their newly increased potential for virtue due to their gains is usually unrealisable. The initial disposition of these virtues of position are apparantly happenstance in the same way as other virtues, and like others, can be altered somewhat through effort. As always, vices are easier to achieve than virtues, and different individuals have different potentials for virtues of position and thus leadership. A man born to a crown and yet is spineless and dithering has wasted their superior disposition of social virtue, while a village elder may have maximised their potential for social virtue, though still not equalling the potential of an honourable baron. The higher the position one holds, the more important the struggle against vice, as more people are affected by ones leadership. In these times of social unrest and rapid change, let us all be reminded that we should know our limitations, and not seek social status beyond our inborn capacity to perform virtuously, but instead accept the disposition of virtues imposed on us by birth.