Now wouldn't it be terrific if you were to discover that you share opinions with great thinkers?
Let's consider Plato.
If you were to read about his life and the society in which he lived, you would be surprised as to how little has changed in politics. After more than 2000 years, one would think there would be a little more enlightenment in our leadership but that is not the case.
It might surprise you to know that Plato made some observations regarding politics that are amazingly relevant today. In fact, many political columnists are simply rehashing the same ideas Plato discussed with his cronies in Athens.
Plato, born in 427 B.C., was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the foundations of natural philosophy, science, and Western philosophy. Plato was originally a student of Socrates, and was as much influenced by his thinking as by what he saw as his teacher's unjust death.
Let's consider some of his thoughts (which I have highlighted in bold).
1. "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."
In my post called SO WHAT IF I DON'T MAKE A STAND? I AM MALAYSIAN!! , I argued that each of us has the responsibility to be engaged in the political climate. One might say the smartest people take one look at political office and run the other way. Well, that may be smart, but it doesn't do much good when it comes to changing our country!! And why so?
Would you want to end up with leaders who have the power and money and ego but not the leadership caliber or moral values required to win an election?
To put it simply, that's way too similar to running for student body president in high school, if you ask me.
In reality, we need to figure out how to get our best thinkers in leadership positions in our government and to do that, we need to develop a system that rewards integrity. And is this possible in Malaysia??
2. "The curse of me and my nation is that we always think things can be bettered by immediate action of some sort, any sort rather than no sort."
This has become an acceptable norm. If you were to consider virtually every paper in the world, chances are you'll find an editorial bashing the "Act now, think later" approach.
What we need today in Malaysia would be truly wise and thoughtful leaders, those who refrain from knee-jerk reactions and take the time to think about the manner in which they plan, execute and communicate their messages.
We have to realize that it is thinking and not rash decision-making processes that will change the course of mankind and launch us into an era of consciousness. Plato had the same idea, which brings us to the next point.
3. "There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, until philosophers become kings in this world, or until those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers, and political power and philosophy thus come into the same hands."
To grow as a nation, complicated as it may sound, we have to realize that philosophy needs to become an integral part of our culture--in politics, business, art and entertainment.
What will it take for us to value thinking?
THINK!
More and more each day!!!
4. "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."
We see the truth of this statement every time a new measure is proposed. So much time is spent on legislation aimed at a tiny percentage of people who are bound and determined to get around the system.
We see it in our country where those on the wrong side of the political divide get into trouble for the smallest matter while others get away with bizarre acts (the Teoh Beng Hock issue and the multi-million dollar palatial home of someone are good examples.)
While we witness the declining standards of morality, don't we realize that if we spent our time and money on building better people, the country could be a better place?
THINK!
5. "When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty, and there is nothing more to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war or other in order that the people may require a leader."
Sound familiar? If not, you haven't seen the movie, "Wag The Dog". We must come to the realization that in life, real, choreographed or simply imagined, conflicts tend to stir up a hornet's nest of controversy.
This idea is the foundation for all conspiracy theorists.
Plato isn't the only political guru. Few realize that there are plenty of great thinkers whose opinions are shared by news-makers and news-watchers today.
Albert Einstein said, "Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind."
You don't have to be a genius to see that rabid patriotism leads to conflict.
Even Socrates agreed. He said, "I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world."
So dear readers, let us wake up to the realization that we need more effort to adopt that Big Picture thinking and develop the ability to think beyond ourselves, our backyards, and our nation's political borders.
Honestly, we simply need to think.
We cannot just accept anything that we read, see or hear. We see leaders campaigning for the 'ketuanan jaguh kampung' and deceive the rakyat into thinking that they are better than what they are and this makes them complacent and stagnant and then they suffer from bitter shock when they become heroes to zeroes internationally. But what can we do? We have a vile nest of morons, goons and worse - a solid fan base to cheer them on. Good heavens!
Here's one quotation that may stop you in your tracks:
"What luck for rulers that men do not think."
Who said it? Adolf Hitler.
Enough said.
May our Sarawakian fellow countrymen think hard and deep when they vote on April 16th.
Have a great day!
*This post was originally published on Oct 19th HERE. It was written on one of those days when I was in a philosophical mood and I remembered it this evening because of a discussion with another Facebook pal. This version here has been edited for clarity and simplicity.
Do leave a comment to share your views. Thanks.
A Single Vote Maam,
I stopped thinking but I cannot stop wondering. I wonder how these people can walk with heads held high when they knowingly support all those crooks.
See the pictures of the Sarawak nomination day, see how the creeps can wave their flags with chests bursting with pride, as they associate with one of the richest men in the world, one who can watch his own people live a miserable life in their ramshackle huts next to his palace.
How can they be so proud of themselves, how do they answer to their religion, their children? Do they not have children who are watching all these, do they not worry how their children will view them, as heroes or as vultures picking out the skeletons of their still breathing fellowmen.
Do they not see the open looting, the decay of our values, the children's acceptance of the corrupt way of life?
Look at that sorry sight of an ex-CM, how I pity him, as much as I despise him for his treachery to his own people. He should have stuck to his job as a lecturer. He would have been a real hero to his children. Look at him, its got to be eating him, take a good look at him and pity him, all you finger-in-the-air 1Malaysia hypocrites. Take that same finger and put it to your forehead and say "THINK", as you think of the children.
Oh how, how can they not see? Let us pray that the people of Sarawak can see through all those goodies, all that money to schools and hard cash coming their way. They are corrupting you AND YOUR CHILDREN.