Authority???

[AirPo]

I was thinking about authoriy and how it applies to us as adults. My thoughts and the question they led to are as follows:

Consider my supervisor. I've granted authority to my supervisor to assign me projects at work. But my supervisor has no authority to tell me what to eat for dinner this evening.

Moving on to a more global example, I buy into the legal system because I believe in it and because of the benefits and protections it offers me. Also, I have the ability contest and/or try to change the system if I don't agree with it.

But what if I didn't. Chances are I'd find it forced upon me in one way or another. Even if I was living in complete anarchy, I would be subject to some form of authority unless I was the biggest and baddest and did not have to listen to anyone.

The other option is living in solitude.

So my question is, must we grant some form of authority to someone or something, lest we find it forced upon us?

 

[ChristianCenturion]

You will find me agreeing that we choose that which rules us; whether by action, consequence or inaction - the results of that decision is another thread.

 

[Clem is Me]

I don't tend to hink of things like "authority" as single, disconnected aspects of life. Authority is part of a wave form, you might say, that fluctuates according to circumstance.

 

[HouseApe]

Humans are naturally hierarchical. Even in a small group, the expert (or biggest, baddest) usually gets deferrence. On average, I would bet, things have a higher probability of working out better and more efficiently that way. And as Clem says, the expert is different based upon circumstance.

 

[AirPo]

You will find me agreeing that we choose that which rules us; whether by action, consequence or inaction - the results of that decision is another thread.

Would you agree that it is our choice to make? Assuming adulthood that is.

 

[ChristianCenturion]

Would you agree that it is our choice to make? Assuming adulthood that is.

Sorry, I can't agree with you to over-simplify it.
I can say that I feel that it SHOULD be a conscious choice.

 

[AirPo]

I can say that I feel that it SHOULD be a conscious choice.

Thanks. That's a better way of putting it.