Have Your Justifications Improved?
In a world yearning for better leaders, a more just society, and a brighter future, the call to action starts within each of us, as suggested by an unnamed author. This call is echoed by the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor, who lived nearly 2,000 years ago.
Marcus Aurelius, renowned for his philosophical writings, particularly in *Meditations*, offers valuable insights on personal and civic accountability. Here are some strategies inspired by his teachings:
**Personal Accountability**
1. **Self-Reflection and Diary Keeping**: Following the example of Marcus Aurelius, maintaining a personal journal can serve as a powerful tool for introspection and accountability. This practice, much like what is recommended on self-mastery platforms, helps individuals recognise their personal flaws and areas for improvement.
2. **Embracing Responsibility**: Aurelius emphasised the importance of accepting what is within one's control and not blaming external circumstances. This mindset encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes.
3. **Cultivating Discipline and Virtue**: Living with virtue and self-discipline, as advocated by Aurelius, helps build character and ensures that actions align with one's moral compass.
**Civic Responsibility**
1. **Duty and Service**: As a leader, Aurelius exemplified the importance of duty and service to society. This principle can be applied by engaging in community service or advocating for public policies that benefit the greater good.
2. **Ethical Leadership**: Aurelius' leadership philosophy emphasised integrity, humility, and fairness. These traits are essential for ethical leadership in any civic context, ensuring accountability to the community.
3. **Accepting the Uncontrollable**: Aurelius taught that one should focus on what they can control and accept what is beyond their control. This Stoic approach helps in managing civic challenges with equanimity and focus.
The Killers, in their song "Run for Cover," pose a thought-provoking question: "Are your excuses any better than your senator's?" The author, too, questions if readers are hypocrites and if they are truly doing their job.
By integrating these strategies into daily life, individuals can cultivate a strong sense of personal and civic responsibility, aligning with the philosophical ideals of Marcus Aurelius. It is through self-reflection, accountability, and service that we can strive to be the change we wish to see in the world.
The philosophical insights from Marcus Aurelius, proponent of policy-and-legislation that prioritized duty and service, can inspire modern individuals to strive for ethical leadership and civic responsibility in our politics and general news. His teachings, echoed by The Killers in their song "Run for Cover," challenge readers to question their own actions and whether they are truly acting in the greater good, rather than merely offering excuses like some senators might.
