Toward Professional Ethics
The policy analyst with a philosopher-king as a client would be fortunate in several ways. The analyst could prepare advice with the knowledge that it would be thoughtfully evaluated on its merits by a wise leader who placed the welfare of the kingdom above considerations of private or factional interest. Good advice would be adopted and implemented solely on the word of the king, without resort to complicated political or organizational strategies. Thus, as long as the king was truly wise, benevolent, and powerful, the analyst could expect that only reasoned and reasonable differences of opinion would come between recommendations and action. In other words, the analyst would not have to fear conflict between the professional ideal of promoting the common good and the practical necessity of serving a client.