Political Neophyte Goes to City Hall

Navigating Governance with Clarity, Purpose, and Ancient Wisdom

Photo by Adrian Botica on Unsplash

"If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable." — Seneca

A not uncommon criticism hurled from the podium and even by some city commissioner’s past, is a critique of our decision-making process. The concern is that we’re being reactionary and simply applying Band-Aids to whatever issue is before the commission. That’s fair. Though, I’d argue there’s always more to the situation than is obvious.

It’s certainly frustrating being on the other end of those votes. Especially, when it comes to things that we should have foreseen, such as the dire need for more space for the unhoused or what to do about the Fire Station 5 closure. Both issues that have a multitude of competing factors to consider, from liability to funding, and everything in between. And while there aren’t easy answers to these matters much to the chagrin of city residents, it’s incumbent upon the commission to make these difficult decisions.

With this week’s blog post, my intent is to share the philosophy behind my decision-making process, and to hopefully offer a window for residents and my fellow Commissioners to know how I may vote on any given resolution. While there are often competing factors that pragmatism necessarily influences, the arguments I make and the votes I ultimately cast must first pass the scrutiny of this underlying philosophy.

Philosophy

The throughline in all of my actions, whether in my personal or professional, or especially public life, is an adherence to a philosophy that acts as my North Star, guiding my principles and the decisions I make as a consequence. The philosophy is called Stoicism. Or more specifically, Modern Stoicism.

Stoicism-proper, is an Ancient Greco-Roman philosophy dating back to roughly 300 B.C.E. It was founded by Zeno of Citium following a shipwreck near Athens that washed away all but the clothes on Zeno’s back.

The story goes, following Zeno’s shipwreck he stumbled his way into Athens. There, penniless and destitute, Zeno found solace in a local bookstore, where he had a chance encounter with “Xenophon’s Memorabilia.” The book offered a profile of the famous philosopher, Socrates. Zeno, so taken by the portrayal of Socrates, demanded of the bookkeeper to know where such a philosopher could be found. By chance, Crates of Thebes, a well-known Cynic philosopher happened by. To which, the bookkeeper exclaimed, “there goes one yonder!” Or something to that effect.

Zeno had followed the instruction of Crates for some time before eventually founding his own school of philosophy beneath the Stoa Poikile, or painted porch. Hence the name, Stoics.

The Ancient Stoic school found its way from the humble origins in Greece to the vaunted halls of the highest office in the Roman Empire. Emperor Marcus Aurelius, known as the last of the “Five Good Emperors” was an avowed Stoic. In his personal journal never meant for publication, “Meditations” Marcus reflected on his struggles to remain a virtuous person as the most powerful figure of the ancient world.

Marcus’s disciplined adherence to his philosophy led Rome to experience some of the most prosperous and just years of governance in the history of the Empire. He is in no small part a role model I aspire to emulate with consideration of our modern sensibilities. Don’t expect to see me wandering City Hall in a toga dyed in royal purple anytime soon.

Modern Stoics

I think I’d worry any resident if they thought their commissioner was using two-thousand-year-old-plus philosophy to govern the day-to-day of city affairs. So, fret not. The school has evolved into a contemporary practice with well-known practitioners throughout its two-millennia history. One of the notable adherents is former United States Vice-Admiral and aviator, and Vice-Presidential hopeful, James Stockdale, who survived more than eight years in the so-called Hanoi Hilton, a notorious POW camp in Vietnam. Stockdale attributed his survival to Epictetus, one of three of the most cited Stoic teachers. Other Modern Stoics include former Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Clinton, among many others from various other professions that are notable today.

Clearly, given this list, some adhered to the philosophy closer than others. It should then also go without saying, I am not perfect. Practicing a philosophy of life is more akin to practice in the sense of law or medicine. There is no perfect sage. Only practitioners striving to improve their character.

It’s also worth mentioning that Modern Stoicism has influenced everything from literature to science. For example, a highly successful tool in modern psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, has its roots in the Stoic school of thought. So too, did Holocaust survivor, neurologist and psychologist, Viktor Frankl attribute his own survival and the development of his corpus of psychological knowledge to the Stoics in “Man’s Search for Meaning.”

What is Modern Stoicism?

Modern Stoicism recognizes the same four virtues of character of its ancient progenitor. But employs a modern understanding.

Wisdom > Practical Insight

• Modern Definition: The ability to make thoughtful, informed decisions based on experience, knowledge, and perspective.

• Application:

  • Recognize the complexity of modern life and use critical thinking to solve problems.

  • Embrace lifelong learning to adapt to new technologies, social changes, and challenges.

  • Example: Before reacting emotionally to news or social media, pause to evaluate the information critically.

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Justice > Fairness & Equity

• Modern Definition: Acting with fairness, promoting equity, and striving to contribute positively to society.

• Application:

  • Advocate for inclusivity and fairness in personal, professional, and societal interactions.

  • Acknowledge privilege and work to level the playing field for marginalized groups.

  • Example: Support policies and actions that promote access to education, healthcare, and opportunity for all.

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Courage > Resilient Action

• Modern Definition: The strength to stand up for your beliefs, face adversity, and take action despite fear or uncertainty.

• Application:

  • Speak out against injustice, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular.

  • Embrace failure as a steppingstone to growth and persist in the face of challenges.

  • Example: Courage today might mean standing up to workplace bias or advocating for climate action in your community.

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Temperance > Balanced Action

• Modern Definition: Exercising self-discipline and moderation to lead a balanced, purposeful life.

• Application:

  • Cultivate healthy habits by managing screen time, maintaining work-life balance, and practicing mindfulness.

  • Resist overindulgence in materialism, consumption, or other excesses.

  • Example: Temperance could mean setting boundaries on social media to protect your mental health or budgeting wisely to avoid financial stress.

Dichotomy of Control

Another aspect of Stoicism, is the “Dichotomy of Control.” That is, some things are up to us, and others are not. We’d be best served expending our energy on that which is within our control, disallowing the rest from disturbing our sense of tranquility. This may also be known as the so-called, “Serenity Prayer” used in most 12-Step programs.

An example of the proper use of the “Dichotomy of Control” would be focusing my efforts on crafting thoughtful policies, communicating transparently with residents, and making decisions rooted in fairness and equity—because these are within my control. What I cannot control are the external reactions to those decisions, such as the inevitable frustration or criticism from some residents who may disagree. By recognizing this distinction, I can act with clarity and purpose, knowing that my role is to serve with integrity, not to appease everyone.

Take, for instance, the closure of Fire Station 5. The decision itself was influenced by factors beyond our immediate control: years of deferred maintenance, insufficient funding, and staffing shortages that we inherited. However, what remains within our control is how we move forward. We can work to address staffing challenges, explore alternative ways to ensure public safety in the affected area, and seek sustainable funding solutions for the future. By focusing on these actionable steps, rather than lamenting past circumstances, we can make meaningful progress toward resolving the issue.

This principle guides my approach to governance: to focus on what can be done today with the resources and knowledge at hand while maintaining a vision for what could be accomplished tomorrow. In this way, the Stoic dichotomy of control serves not just as a tool for personal resilience but also as a practical framework for public service.

Acting In Accordance with Nature

Lastly, I will discuss the remaining leg of this three-legged stool of philosophy. That is, living in accordance with nature.

The Stoics believed humanity to be pro-social, rational animals. Rather, we [evolved] to be social creatures who benefit from the cooperation of community. And they also believed what separates us from the beasts is our ability to reason our way through challenges. This is my calling to public office - to be of service to my fellow human being.

A common teaching tool of Modern Stoics is the concept of concentric social rings. At its most inner point, the dot, the individual. Now, draw a circle around that dot, and you’ll find your immediate family. Around that circle, yet another one that represents our neighbors and friends. And around that circle, our community. And around that, our state, our nation, etc. Given this example, the largest of the circles is all of humanity, which encompasses all of the smaller circles of relations within it. This is what we call the Cosmopolis.

By using reason to navigate our emotions and by engaging in pro-social activities, such as that of trying to make the world a better place, we’re practicing Stoics.

Conclusion

As Seneca reminds us, knowing the port to which we sail is essential for navigating the winds of life. For me, this port is guided by the principles of Stoicism: wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. These virtues, combined with the practical framework of the Dichotomy of Control and a commitment to living in accordance with nature, shape how I approach governance and service to our community.

Public office is not without its challenges, but those challenges are opportunities to act with clarity and purpose. Whether addressing the closure of Fire Station 5, expanding resources for the unhoused, or making tough budgetary decisions, I aim to apply these principles to ensure that my actions reflect thoughtful, equitable, and sustainable solutions for Bay City.

At the heart of Stoicism—and my service as Commissioner—is a belief in the interconnectedness of humanity, what the Stoics call the Cosmopolis. Each decision I make impacts not just our immediate community but also the larger circles of society that surround us. This sense of responsibility inspires me to strive for decisions that not only address today’s issues but also create a brighter, more just future.

My hope is that by sharing this philosophy, I can offer residents a transparent understanding of how I navigate complex decisions and inspire trust in the process. Together, by fostering cooperation and using reason to guide our actions, we can sail confidently toward the Bay City we all aspire to build.

As always, the views herein are wholly that of my own perspective. None of what is said on this blog should be construed as the views of any of the city staff, Commissioners, Mayor, or any other stakeholders in the city, in part, or as a whole.

Thank you for reading; this blog post is adjourned.