Ideas+Of+Cicero's+Book+2+Represented+in+History+And+Modern+Society(By+Danny+O'Neil)

In Cicero’s writings on duties, the main idea throughout his work is what is honorable and just for a leader. Cicero also believes that since many people do little thinking about what is honorable and just they are often led to believe those who may just be clever and crafty. Over time, people are tricked into thinking that someone who is clever also possesses honorableness and commitment to society. A great modern day example can be found when discussing the disastrous Enron scandal, where Kenneth Lay, the CEO, was charged with “securities fraud, wire fraud, and making false and misleading statements.” While manipulating many aspects of his cooperation for his own gain, Lay constantly told employees that the condition of the company was “better than fine”, when in fact it was on the brink of bankruptcy. The crafty Lay had his people’s complete trust, which eventually “cost 20,000 employees their jobs and many of them their life savings” when disaster occurred. From this present day example we can fully understand why it is important to know what is honorable and just and not be swayed by what Cicero calls, “fraud and roguery.”



A counterexample to Kenneth Lay can be a leader who performs his job honorably and justly. Al Gore, as corny he may seem some times, is a leader who meets Cicero's standards; especially when talking about global warming. Gore, who starred in the global warming film, "An Inconvenient Truth", does not sway his believers by being clever or fraudulent; he simply states the facts. Gore, calling the problem of global warming a "planetary emergency", honestly cares about informing people about what is happening to our planet due to CO2 emissions. Even though some of this may be to boost his image or to make money, it is hard to argue that Al Gore is doing all of this just for personal gain. Also, while Lay's untruthful ways ultimately proved to doom his company and followers, Al Gore's information seems to proving true. Even scientists from the Woods Hole Research Center confidently say that "greenhouse gases can have dramatic effects on climate and significant repercussions." To sum this entire argument up, Al Gore is a proven leader who has gained his people's trust and support by being honorable and just. Without having to sway his followers by being crafty and fraudulent, he has led his people to a greater knowledge of the world around them. Cicero would be so proud!



Citations

1)Crawford, Krysten. “Lay Surrenders to Authorities.” CNN Money.com. 12 July, 2004. Cable News Network. 6 Dec. 2007 http://money.cnn.com/2004/07/08/news/newsmakers/lay/

2)“Kenneth Lay” Kenneth Lay- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 6 Dec. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation.inc. 6 Dec. 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Lay

3)http://www.worth1000.com/entries/252000/252423InQM_w.png. 6 Dec. 2007 http://www.worth1000.com/entries/252000/252423InQM_w.png

4)Vega, Cecilia M. "Warning From Gore on Future". SF Gate.com. 5 June, 2005. Hearst Newspapers. 13 Dec. 2007 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/06/05/GORE.TMP

5)"The Greenhouse Effect" Greenhouse Effect- The Woods Hole Research Center. 2007. Woods Hole Research Center. 13 Dec. 2007 http://www.whrc.org/resources/online_publications/warming_earth/the_greenhouse_effect.htm

6)http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/images/wsci_02_img0230.jpg 13 Dec. 2007 http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/images/wsci_02_img0230.jpg

doneil period 3