Mariel Ann B.
Galabasa PolSci 2A
Plato, the renowned ancient Greek philosopher, delineated a vision of an ideal leader
characterized by wisdom, virtue, and a profound commitment to justice. In his seminal work
"The Republic," Plato accentuates the significance of moral integrity and intellectual acumen as
quintessential qualities for effective leadership. According to Plato, a leader must embody
intellectual virtues, guided by reason and a steadfast dedication to the welfare of the society.
The philosophical virtues of wisdom and justice championed by Plato serve as the cornerstone
of his ideal leader’s qualifications.
In contrast, the qualifications prescribed for a potential president in our present
constitution prioritize legal eligibility and experience in governance. The constitutional
requirements mandate that a potential president be a natural-born Filipino citizen, at least 40
years of age, and possess demonstrated integrity and leadership skills. These stipulations
underline the importance of legal qualifications and moral integrity in a leader, aligning with the
constitutional principles of upholding the rule of law and serving as a custodian of the nation's
interests. While Plato's vision centers on intellectual virtues, the contemporary constitution
emphasizes legal eligibility and experience as prerequisites for presidential candidates.
Despite the contrasting emphases, both Plato's ideal leader qualifications and the
constitutional requirements for a potential president converge on the core objective of ensuring
competent and responsible leadership. While Plato extols virtues like wisdom and justice, the
present constitution underscores the necessity of legal qualifications, experience, and moral
integrity. Both paradigms, albeit from divergent perspectives, converge on the shared goal of
serving society for the greater good. The juxtaposition of Plato's philosophical ideals with the
constitutional criteria illuminates the evolving notions of leadership qualifications across time,
reflecting a blend of philosophical wisdom and legal mandates in the selection of leaders.
