Philosophy and Leadership

The birth of philosophical thought across the ancient world brought with it a keen interest in the study of leadership - reflections on who should lead and on how to create the best leadership structures became central to the debates of most prominent ancient philosophers. Philosophy and Leadership offers a panorama of the main philosophies, both ancient and modern, which form the basis of contemporary leadership theories. This book will draw on many philosophical positions to offer a critique of the most important nodes of modern leadership studies – such as ethics, purpose, meaning and legacy. It will include probing questions and theoretical as well practical exercises aimed at reinforcing the points discussed in each chapter, as well as examples from history, literature, films and music. This book will be invaluable reading for scholars on undergraduate and postgraduate leadership courses, as well as those studying philosophy, leadership ethics and business ethics, and responsible leadership.

Introduction: Why Philosophy, Why Leadership Part I: At the Beginning It Was Philosophy 1. Philosophy as the Root of Leadership Studies 2. Ancient Western Conceptions of Leadership: Plato, Aristotle and Marcus Aurelius 3. Non-Western Conceptions of Leadership: Chinese, Buddhist and Islamic Philosophy 4. Leadership Development and the Enlightenment Debates on Human Nature Part II: Challenging Standard Visions of Leadership 5. Philosophical Basis of the Great Man Theory 6. Style and Traits Theories and the Problem of Perception 7. Normative Theories of Leadership 8. Transforming and Transactional Leadership: The Hidden Philosophical Debt 9. Charismatic Leadership: A Tale of Centuries from St. Paul to Gramsci 10. Rhetoric and Leadership Communication Part III: A View Beyond 11. Meta-Philosophical Problems for Leadership Studies: The Definition Problem 12. Leadership as a Technology, Leadership as Nature 13. Folk Leadership Literature and the "Is-Ought Problem"

Antonio Marturano is Adjunct Professor of Business Ethics at the Sacred Heart Catholic University of Rome and Visiting Lecturer in Leadership and Communication at the LUISS University of Rome, Italy.