Why politicians in a country are not required to be professionally trained (about politics)? With any useful political classes/lectures teaching such as cost-benefit analysis, decision-making logic, culture diversity, environment sustainability, human rights, social justice, bipartisanship, etc.? In order to manage the country more efficiently! Why citizens do not demand this protocol, or talk about it?
Despite the common sense of your question.... The fact remains that politicos run on the promise to give certain voters something they don't deserve... and certain voters are "down wid dat". Nothing else really matters.... which largely explains the mess we're in.
Despite the common sense of your question... let me redirect the topic towards my personal mono-maniacal complaint (about everything)!
In Book VI of The Republic "Plato defined a philosopher firstly as its eponymous occupation – wisdom-lover. He then distinguishes between one who loves true knowledge as opposed to mere experience or education by saying that the philosopher is the only person who has access to ideas – the archetypal entities that exist behind all representations of the form (such as Beauty itself as opposed to any one particular instance of beauty). It is next and in support of the idea that philosophers are the best rulers that Plato fashions the Ship of State metaphor, one of his most often cited ideas (along with his allegory of the cave). "[A] true pilot must of necessity pay attention to the seasons, the heavens, the stars, the winds, and everything proper to the craft if he is really to rule a ship" (The Republic, 6.488d)." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher_king
Thanks. Very good point indeed! Q https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius While on campaign between 170 and 180, Aurelius wrote his Meditations in Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. The title of this work was added posthumously—originally he titled his work simply: "To Myself". He had a logical mind and his notes were representative of Stoic philosophy and spirituality. Meditations is still revered as a literary monument to a government of service and duty. The book has been a favourite of Frederick the Great, John Stuart Mill, Matthew Arnold, Goethe, Wen Jiabao, and Bill Clinton.[269] UQ
When I first read this book my education in school and life started. I had something to compare every thought to. Its hard not to think about politics and not think about philosopher kings. Its hard not to think about what we should strive for and aspire to and not think about the allegory of the cave.
Well said, jem, I know how you feel about it. And you've reminded me of Emerson's advice, and cause for lament: "A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought, because it is his. In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts: they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty."
I like your distinction, between statesmen and politicians, the former somehow implies a higher calling. I vaguely recall a story about a Zen master (or Taoist?) who was offered a prestigious post in China, and politely refused--he shunned the "dust" (Buddhist analogy for the cares of the world) that would settle upon him.