Xenophon’s Oeconomicus — What is Management about?
A Management Book in a Nutshell
Would you believe me if I told you that in the ancient Greece subjects like household management, economy, agriculture, religion, politics, and education were already addressed by one of the greatest philosophers of all times?
That is right, Xenophon of Athens, who lived 430–354 BC, addressed such subjects in one of his works Oeconomicus and the best part, he somehow related all of the aspects mentioned above in one manuscript, or should I say, “a masterpiece”.
There are lots of philosophers who talk about these concepts, but in my opinion, none of them talks about and corelates one to the other as greatly as Xenophon does.
So, without wasting time, what about taking a deeper look into Xenophon’s work?
What is the book about?
Oeconomicus by Xenophon is often treated as one of the earliest sources of economics that we have information about. The book presents us with an introduction to the management of an estate as the smallest economic entity in a society. In this view, a literal translation of oeconomicus into economics is both misleading and incorrect. The text not only addresses social, political, and intellectual life in classical Athens, but also tells us about the relationship between husbands and wives, principals and servants, masters and slaves, and many other relevant subjects till this day, such as: education, religion, and politics. It also encompasses the threefold practical view of society that distinguishes between individuals, the house, and the city (state).
Xenophon (c. 430–354 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher, historian, soldier, and, also, a student of Socrates.
With Plato and Aristophanes, Xenophon is understood as the alternative source for ancient history and Socrates’ life and thinking.
In the Oeconomicus, Xenophon presents Socrates in a less popular role. He is not stressing so much about the major Socratic principles of one’s own not-knowing. Instead, it shows Socrates as a very humble person who learns from and eagerly recognise the expertise of others.
The Oeconomicus is written in form of a multiple nested dialogue. In contrast to Bryson* — who wrote a treatise about household management — Xenophon wrote a three-layered dialogue with an outer, intermediate, and inner frame.
1. Outer Frame
Firstly, the outer frame of the dialogue is created by a somewhat informal conversation between Socrates and Critoboulus, the son of Crito, who wants to learn from Socrates how to best run a house or estate. Socrates then decides to discuss with him the meaning of wealth and shows the paradoxical disparity between the two.
In one of the many remarkable passages in the book, Socrates tells Critoboulus that a man should not strive for getting rich, because wealth is in Socratic terms not so much related to possessions and money, but to well-being and fulfilling a higher purpose in life (so-called Socratic inversion):
Rich people should sacrifice more to their Gods and be charitable to others. Contrary, being poor means, someone is more self-sufficient and independent.
In another words, all assets from an estate are only useful, if they are used diligently and wisely.
2. Intermediate frame
Secondly, the intermediate frame, since Socrates does not know much about running a household (or chooses to ignore the subject), the conversation between Socrates and Critoboulus is suddenly interrupted and an intermediate dialogue with another person starts. By doing that, Socrates recalls a conversation he recently had with Ischomachus who, in Socrates’ words is described as a virtuous man.
Xenophon then uses the words of Ischomachus as a mouthpiece for his own (or Socrates’) advise about how to run a house. More specifically, the main theme of this conversation is on agriculture as Ischomachus openly talks about his planting knowledge. Moreover, the conversation between Socrates and Ischomachus also includes an educational element as Socrates wants to teach Ischomachus the proper view on ethics and virtues.
3. Inner frame
Finally, an inner frame of dialogue is established as part of the discussion between Ischomachus and Socrates. In the conversation about how to run the house Ischomachus refers to a dialog between him and his wife. The dialogue describes the methods he used to educate his wife in the role of running the house as a self-directed partner, the practice of ruling and training the slaves, and farming techniques.
What we can learn from the book?
Oeconomicus is a classical masterpiece. Although it is mainly based on ancient Greece, some concepts introduced in the book can still be applied till this day. What we as managers, readers, or learners need to understand better is that there is not only one way to do things and the more we find out about different techniques, subjects, or processes we can then find a style that best suits our personality. Management does involve not only the elites of managers but all people in the household, company, project, etc.
Xenophon’s book is awesome. And if you, like me, prefer to take a more simplistic approach to all subjects discussed in the book, or if you are looking for a nice alternative book to read and drift your mind away from all chaos that’s going on in the world right now, then this is a light philosophical summer reading.
If you want to learn more, the book is under public domain and freely available archive.org in different file formats. If you want to learn more about Xenophon’s works see read the informative and entertaining medium series about Xenophon’s Memorabilia by Massimo Pigliucci.
*The Book of Bryson, On the Man’s Management of his Estate is available in an English translation as an excerpt at Cambridge University Press.
