"Doesn’t it follow that a ship’s captain or ruler won’t seek and order what is advantageous to himself, but what is advantageous to a sailor? No one in any position of rule, insofar as he is a ruler, seeks or orders what is advantageous to himself, but what is advantageous to his subjects; the ones of whom he is himself the craftsman. It is to his subjects and what is advantageous and proper to them that he looks, and everything he says and does he says and does for them."
Discussion
This text appears to be an excerpt from a philosophical or ethical treatise, likely written by Aristotle or another ancient Greek philosopher.
The main argument presented here is that rulers, including ship's captains, will prioritize the well-being of their subjects over their own self-interest. The reasoning behind this claim is based on the idea that a ruler's role is to provide guidance and protection to those under their care, rather than pursuing personal gain.
This text likely supports Aristotle's concept of "eudaimonia" (human flourishing) or his idea of the "common good." In these contexts, Aristotle argues that individuals should prioritize the well-being of society as a whole over their own individual interests.