The Hidden Philosopher King

The Capuchin Lecler du Tremblay, counsellor to Cardinal de Richerlieu was referred to as the éminence grise. Is a philosopher who advises or counsels kings a modern answer to the problem of philosopher king? Such a suggestion is made by the Athenian Stranger in Plato’s Laws, where a philosopher who joins a young and ruthless tyrant is recommended as the solution for radical constitutional innovation and new political foundings. Much later, Machiavelli in The Prince offers his services to Lorenzo in his attempt to show the usefulness of philosophy. Yet as an examination of the discussion of secretaries in The Prince, chapters XXII and XXIII shows, Machiavelli has concerns regarding the efficacy of this solution. This chapter contrasts Machiavelli’s reservations with those of Confucius who in his Analects, proposes the Sage-king as both feasible and desirable. It concludes by examining how modern bureaucracies can be said to fulfil such a role, and how the contest between Hegel and Weber on this question shows the limits to this modern form of the philosopher king.