Philo­sophy of Lead­er­ship

Course content

This course takes an intellectual-historical perspective of leadership by sketching in general outline the evolution of Western thought and ethics. Various ethical systems and philosophies – including ancient heroism, Greek rationalism, Machiavellianism, modern rationalism, romanticism, heroic individualism and existentialism – are explored through a critical analysis of those ideas which have had an enduring influence on the way philosophers, sociologists and psychologists have conceived of leadership and of the authority and power relationships that underpin it. The ability to critique these bodies of ideas is essential to management students aiming at responsible leadership and meaningful citizenship engagement. Indeed, critical evaluation of blueprints for behavior brings about awareness of alternatives. More generally, to the extent that leadership is a relationship mediated by oral and written communication, leading is impossible in the absence of ethical references, in the darkness of an imprecise language or in the senseless outline of a world without intellectual foundations. The course aims to provide students with an outline of such references and foundations.

As the course progresses from the examination of a selection of ancient philosophies and ethics to more recent ones, it highlights significant changes in what people have accepted as the basis for leadership. Philosophers have not merely analyzed political, military and religious leadership; indeed, for more than 2,500 years, they have educated and counseled those who turned to them for advice about how to attain and retain power and authority. For better or worse, their recommendations have guided rebels and revolutionaries, statesmen and popes. Although philosophers have been at times executed for questioning assumptions widely taken for granted, they are also liberators because their ideas changed lives. The course is a tribute to their work.

Contribution to the Nordic nine

Principle

Contribution

You have deep business knowledge placed in a broad context

You are analytical with data and curious about ambiguity

Philosophical and ethical concepts are often ambiguous; the course assists in clarifying such ambiguity by taking an analytical approach

You recognize humanity's challenges and have the entrepreneurial knowledge to help resolve them

Self-mastery is human beings' greatest challenge. The course outlines a philosophical and ethical language that makes such mastery possible

You are competitive in business and compassionate in society

Leadership and compassion require understanding of self and others; the course contributes to this objective by clarifying core philosophical notions such endeavors require

You understand ethical dilemmas and have the leadership values ​​to overcome them

The course outlines ethical challenges associated with leadership relationships

You are critical when thinking and constructive when collaborating

To the extent that following is voluntary (chosen), leadership situations entail cooperation and collaboration; the course proposes philosophical and ethical notions that assist in maintaining such relationships

You produce prosperity and protect the prosperity of next generations

You grow by relearning and by teaching others to do the same

This course intends to arouse philosophical curiosity about leadership and its ethical aspects; although it goes some way into satisfying it, such satisfaction can never be complete.

You create value from global connections for local communities