5TH International Congress on Technology - Engineering & Science - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia (2018-02-01)

Apoliticism In The Progression Of Leadership Triads As Depicted In Augustine’s Literary Activity And Philosophy Of Education

Augustine exemplifies the relevance of education, political leadership or good governance in our postmodern milieu. It ascribes to two diverging paths and thrones: the heavenly city and the earthly city. Augustine narrates: two loves thus established two cities: love of self unto contempt of God constructed the earthly city, and love of God unto contempt of self constructed the heavenly city. The one city glories in itself, the other in God. The one is restrained by the lust for power; the other inspires human beings to mutual service, leaders by commanding, and subjects by obeying. The one, in its lords, loves its own strength; the other says to its God: “I will love you, Lord, who are my strength.” Two loves – one loving toward the neighbor exercises solidarity; the other centered on self. His reassessment of history and belief in the educability of the average citizen coalesce into what is visualized as a progression of “leadership triads.” It is a composite of conditor, magister, and rex, in Augustine’s politico-philosophical exegesis. He envisions a species of political positivism fostering obedience and order while suggesting no specific scheme for the structure of the state. Augustine’s goal was actually not to make government more humane but to make it less necessary by eschewing a society wherein the people assert their own rights and substituting in its place a society excelling one another in love. Such a political paradigm in one angle is actually apoliticism.
Maria Imelda Nery, Glenn Tabasa