Principle of authority

by CR (061)

The definition of authority, according to some dictionaries are: "The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience." It is also: "The right to act in a specified way, delegated from one person or organization to another."

There is also something called "The Authority Principle". As stated by Nielsen Norman Group: "the authority principle refers to a person’s tendency to comply with people in positions of authority, such as government leaders, law-enforcement representatives, doctors, lawyers, professors, and other perceived experts in different fields.".  

However the Governments seem to be the ones that exercise the power of authority the most. On this matter Encyclopedia Britannica states that: "Governments are perhaps the most familiar example of an authoritative social actor, as, by most accounts, they generally possess a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force to compel obedience to their mandates in a given geographic area."

In regard to the Principle of Authority, Christian Rationalism believes that this principle should never be exercised in a tyrannical, intolerant way since it cannot be dissociated from the precepts of moral, moderation and justice.

Although many people command respect due to the fear that their actions instil, the true, the most authentic, the most legitimate authority is generous and fair. This is what makes it endeared and respected.

This does not mean that people in authority should relinquish the right, and even the duty, to use strength and severity when necessary. What should never happen is for people in authority to become overbearing and despotic.

Those in authority should ponder carefully before taking any action, in order to reduce their chances of making mistakes and committing injustice to a minimum.

References

[1] Lexico.Com, https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/authority

[2] Nielsen Norman Group, https://www.nngroup.com/articles/authority-principle/

[3] Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/authority

[4] Christian Rationalism, 1st Edition, Rio de Janeiro 1984

[5] Compilation, paraphrasing, translation from original texts in Portuguese