--Cersei Lannister, Game of Thrones (season one, episode seven)
Politics can manifest itself in a variety of different systems, but it always reduces down to one thing at its core: one person or party imposing their worldview on others. Though some may try to keep them out of governance, ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics inevitably spill over into any political structure. The issue, then, is not whether leaders bring their worldviews into politics, but whether the worldviews they bring into their politics are correct.
Game of Thrones portrays this phenomenon with incredible accuracy: almost all of the primary characters bring a different worldview into the political arena. In every case, without exception, their game of politics is at its core an ideological war. The game of thrones is ultimately a contest where contestants pit their worldviews against those of the others, with preferences and power, not rationality, often being used to achieve victories in the game. The Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryens each bring distinct moral frameworks and motivations into the turmoil of Westeros and Essos. Each ruler leads in a way that reflects his or her worldview and that seeks to silence the worldviews of other characters.
Political motivations and methods are quite diverse, with the depiction of this diversity being one of the most masterful elements of the show. Some characters seek justice (Robb Stark), others power
(Littlefinger), and still others the preservation of their family
(Cersei Lannister). Many political figures pursue control of Westeros for themselves or for the sake of another, their objectives almost always in conflict. On one hand, there is Ned Stark, who refuses to engage in immoral behaviors even when they would benefit the regime he gives his allegiance to. On the other hand, there is Joffrey Lannister, who has people killed or tortured in front of him simply to satisfy his sadism. Then there is Daenerys Targaryen, whose benevolent intentions do not prevent her from resorting to cruel measures.
Though these three, to provide only a trio of examples from the many politicians/rulers of Westeros and Essos, have contrary goals and use contrary methods, each one's political maneuvers are dictated by his or her worldview. No one can live in a way that wholly deviates from their philosophy/philosophies. It is impossible for a person to have no worldview at all, and, though everyday actions betray something about a person's worldview, it is impossible to conceal a worldview in a political setting. Every law and faction represents an idea that is either true or false.
Anyone who says that politics is not about philosophy has an asinine understanding of both. There is nothing that can exclude the presence of philosophy, since philosophy encompasses the whole of reality. Even those who might genuinely mistake politics for an aphilosophical or amoral thing will gravitate towards a particular political framework for philosophical reasons, however unsound and untrue they may be.
There is no aspect of life that someone can keep their worldview away from, for a person's worldview remains with them wherever they go. People might attempt to defend a political decision by pretending like politics is not about morality or philosophy, compartmentalizing ethics and metaphysics within other parts of their lives, but moral obligations and inconvenient truths do not vanish simply because one ignores them. Reality does not bow before any human ruler; it is human rulers who must submit to reality. Game of Thrones, though it is fantasy, is inescapably realistic in its acknowledgment that all of politics is ultimately a manifestation of worldviews.
Though these three, to provide only a trio of examples from the many politicians/rulers of Westeros and Essos, have contrary goals and use contrary methods, each one's political maneuvers are dictated by his or her worldview. No one can live in a way that wholly deviates from their philosophy/philosophies. It is impossible for a person to have no worldview at all, and, though everyday actions betray something about a person's worldview, it is impossible to conceal a worldview in a political setting. Every law and faction represents an idea that is either true or false.
Anyone who says that politics is not about philosophy has an asinine understanding of both. There is nothing that can exclude the presence of philosophy, since philosophy encompasses the whole of reality. Even those who might genuinely mistake politics for an aphilosophical or amoral thing will gravitate towards a particular political framework for philosophical reasons, however unsound and untrue they may be.
There is no aspect of life that someone can keep their worldview away from, for a person's worldview remains with them wherever they go. People might attempt to defend a political decision by pretending like politics is not about morality or philosophy, compartmentalizing ethics and metaphysics within other parts of their lives, but moral obligations and inconvenient truths do not vanish simply because one ignores them. Reality does not bow before any human ruler; it is human rulers who must submit to reality. Game of Thrones, though it is fantasy, is inescapably realistic in its acknowledgment that all of politics is ultimately a manifestation of worldviews.
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