.png)
 |
| Kevin Grout |
This semester, I had the pleasure of taking Dr. Gregg’s Political Leadership class. It was by far the most challenging class I have ever taken, but I feel like it was also the most rewarding. In one semester we experienced thousands of years of political philosophy and quintessential leadership. We had so much to learn and experience, but it would have been impossible to experience it all. We took a sampling from some of the greatest minds in history.
We started by reading Plato’s Republic. Although we only read the majority of the text, we discussed the Ideal City and the true definition of Justice. When we learned about the Philosopher King, we began to understand what it meant to hold absolute power but only work for the betterment of others. These ideal men and women (this City has complete gender equality) were groomed and tested to be true and honest leaders. Everyone in this society would do their one job well, and the City would function without falter.
Next, we delved into the wonderful life of the Roman Statesman Cicero. This titan of leadership held the future of the Roman Republic in his hands, and he worked tirelessly to save the state from corruption and decline. His power of oratory has been unmatched throughout the ages. Eventually, however, Cicero failed at his task and the Republic did fall. The staunch intellectual leadership that Cicero was able to provide to Rome left a mark unmatched by anyone throughout history.
After the high points of leadership we learned about in the first portion of the semester, we learned more practical applications of these ideas. Machiavelli’s The Prince gave actual leadership advice to the de Medici family as they attempted to gain power in Italy. Many of his lessons contradicted Platonic ideas of Justice, but Machiavelli made his goal very plain. He only sought to give the de Medici’s the ability to take power and maintain it. The powerful messages of The Prince gave a great transition into the last great novel of the semester.
We finished the semester with All the King’s Men a novel by the Kentuckian Robert Penn Warren. While most believe that the novel is about the morality in politics, it contains important commentary on the human person. It asks serious questions about the love, smoking, philosophy, religion, drinking, family, pain, sin, human nature, and suffering. The main character constantly struggles between his obligations at work, his devotion to his past, and his apathy towards the future.
These texts, along with the class discussion, constantly challenged me in so many ways. I was forced to wrestle with big ideas in ways I have never have had to before. By stopping, looking at my life choices, and contemplating my future, I feel like have taken great steps towards my future. I thank my teachers this semester – Dr. Gregg, Marcus Aurelius, John Lukacs, Abraham Lincoln, Plato, Plutarch, Robert Penn Warren, and so many more.
Kevin Grout, of Florence, Ky., is a freshman McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville. He is studying political science and history.