George A. Harne, Ph.D., delivered his first public address as Christendom College’s new president at Chelsea Academy’s summer conference at the end of July. Speaking on the topic of “The Contemplative Statesman,” Dr. Harne spoke at length on the interplay between contemplation and effective statesmanship, arguing that one cannot excel as a statesman without first engaging in the contemplative life.
The conference, which was titled “Serving God and Country,” gathered notable speakers, including Ken Cuccinelli and Dr. Chad C. Pecknold, to focus on the pivotal role of Catholic education in shaping virtuous leaders. Dr. Harne’s address tied directly into this theme, offering a path forward toward effective statesmanship in this country and beyond.
“The most fundamental act of the statesman is seeing—seeing clearly, seeing deeply, and seeing comprehensively, and this is only possible if we establish the practices and patterns in our lives that are conducive to this seeing over time,” said Dr. Harne. “No statesman can succeed in the role of statesman or even flourish as a human being without cultivating contemplation and a contemplative disposition. Neglecting contemplation will lead to grave harm to the common good of society and to the polity entrusted to the statesman. This claim has implications for us as leaders, teachers, and parents, particularly in education and how we form the future leaders in our charge, develop the curricula that animate our schools, and cultivate the ethos in those schools.”
Dr. Harne outlined five essential topics to guide his discussion, focusing first on what a statesman is. According to Dr. Harne, a statesman is a wise and virtuous leader dedicated to the common good, using reason and lawful compulsion to guide citizens.
“The primary enemies of the statesman are ignorance and the tendency toward tyranny and arbitrary self-assertion,” he noted. “We all, as leaders of schools and families and other organizations, participate in this idea of a statesman to some degree, and we are called to be contemplatives in our respective spheres. And insofar as we are forming future statesmen, we will need to form them in light of these principles.”
Delving next into the essence of contemplation, Dr. Harne recommended practices such as contemplative prayer, the making of truly beautiful things, engaging in sustained philosophical reflection, and the contemplation of beautiful music, art, dance, or cinema to cultivate this mindset.
Dr. Harne further argued that a statesman, and by extension educational leaders, should contemplate the whole of integrated reality, the human being in his or her metaphysical context, the cultural realities of his or her age, the political sphere, and the eschatological horizon.
“Do we take the time to contemplate these things?” asked Dr. Harne. “Do we strive to catch a glimpse of the whole? This can be understood in a variety of ways, including taking a moment to watch the sunrise or sunset. But we don’t begin with the whole. We begin with simple steps.”
Dr. Harne next proposed three models for integrating the contemplative and active lives: the Biblical model of Mary and Martha, the Patristic model of Julianus Pomerius and St. Augustine, and Cardinal Newman’s nested structure of ages.
Concluding his talk, Harne reflected on the enduring relevance of St. Thomas More as an exemplar of the contemplative statesman. More pursued what “St. Augustine would have recognized as a composite pattern of living,” according to Dr. Harne, integrating the rhythms and rituals of a cloister into a life shaped by the demands of public service.
“More emphasized the primacy of personal virtue in both leaders and citizens. There is no institutional arrangement that can substitute for the virtue of the leader and the virtue of the citizens,” said Dr. Harne. “At a personal level, the statesman must do battle each day against pride and vainglory, which inhibit the clear vision of the statesman. The battle with pride was, for More, perhaps the chief battle above all else. He ordered the education of his own children so as to inculcate them against it. Citizens must be virtuous as well. Virtue, for More, was the primary safeguard of political liberty.”
Speaking to people from all walks of life at the conference, Dr. Harne’s talk offered a path forward for leaders at every level, showing how contemplation should be integrated into the lives of everyone.
“How might we integrate the contemplative dimension into our very active lives as leaders in whatever sphere God has called us to? How can we integrate this dimension into our schools, the curricula of our schools, the ethos of the classroom, and in our homes?” asked Dr. Harne. “Whichever way we follow, I hope we will keep St. Thomas More top of mind, remembering that the fruitful life of statesmen, leaders, parents, and even students will not be possible without integrating, cultivating, and guarding the contemplative dimension.”
To watch Dr. Harne’s full lecture, visit here.
For more information on Dr. Harne, visit here.