Jimi Hendrix once said, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” Contrasting values of morality between low and high levels of power create a divide. High positions of power present a status to keep. They would rather stick to the traditional system opposed to taking initiative with change, applying to their law-based thinking. This causes the world’s most influential beings to be bystanders. High-power people are on the same level as the kids who stand by and watch as a victim is being beaten up by a bully at school. Doing nothing is as bad as being the offender because when given the chance to stop a problem, high-power individuals allow it to occur. In contrast, people with little power consider their action’s impact through resolution-based thinking. Right and wrong is the deciding factor after analyzing situations thoroughly to make a decision. Rather than sitting back and watching injustice, they take charge; they simply don’t have much to lose. The levels of power majorly affect morality through law and resolution-based thinking and granting power to resolution-based thinkers to create a balance between the branches.
To start, a high level of power results in morals based around laws. People in power want to maintain that power and follow or make rules that keep them in power. In the article, “How Power Influences Moral Thinking,” the author discusses how stability is appealing for high-power people, because their position
Philosophical thought provides the infrastructure that allows society to author moral laws. While morality may be the aim, other variables can cause these laws to become corrupt. The urge for power is one of many, recurring, variables that infect morality. During these times of ‘infection,’ society must contest those who oppose just laws. In order to shine a light on unjust laws, laws are bound to be broken. It is not only lawful to break unjust laws, but the duty of the people to speak up and be a voice for change. It is critical, during these times, to work towards equilibrium with the goal to change the law. Regardless of the circumstances, it is lawful to break unjust laws with the goal to make them just again.
“I believe that the root of all evil is power,” (Patricia Cornwell). I think this quote says a lot about the power of power. Let’s think about some people who were incredibly evil. Hitler killed 11 million people (Schwartz), 49 million deaths were linked to Joseph Stalin (Ghosh), and Kim Jong-Un has executed 70 officials since coming into office in 2011 (Omara). That doesn’t even include all of the other people who have died because of him or who will die because of him in the future. What do all of these people have in common? Power. If none of these people had power, millions of lives could have been saved. But with all power comes evil, as proven by these three horrible people. Now, power may not be taken to this extent all the time. As
A longstanding debate in human history is what to do with power and what is the best way to rule. Who should have power, how should one rule, and what its purpose should government serve have always been questions at the fore in civilization, and more than once have sparked controversy and conflict. The essential elements of rule have placed the human need for order and structure against the human desire for freedom, and compromising between the two has never been easy. It is a question that is still considered and argued to this day. However, the argument has not rested solely with military powers or politicians, but philosophers as well. Two prominent voices in this debate are Plato and Machiavelli, both
Power in politics is a person who has the ability to influence a person in terms of their behaviour; however they possess no right to - unlike authority. There are many ways in which a person can influence another’s behaviour; one such example is through coercion. Coercion refers to the use of violence or threats in order to influence someone. [Jones and Norton, 2011]
To understand political power aright, and derive it from its original, we must consider what estate all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of Nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man (...)
How do people in power influence society ?To influence means to have an affect on character,development, or behavior of someone or something. People in position of power use Rhetorical techniques in the process in trying to influence their audience. Sharing their opinion about a situation can affect a person in different ways ,by the person in power appealing to logic and emotions. Affects an individual’s character and also can have an large impact emotionally,mentally, and physically. Using these tools really all to persuade a person to feel what their feeling and see their side. It could be to help a person or shape an individual in astonishing way.
People who are in positions of power can influence society in a variety of ways, from persuading people to change their ways, to influencing and motivating people to take a stand for what they believe in. People in power can change society for the greater good but also for worse than it originally was. The sermon, “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” by Jonathan Edwards and the “Virginia convention speech” by Patrick Henry are great examples of this.
The English writer John Dalber-Acton wrote that “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Human behavior leads towards sovereignty. Either a person gets supremacy or attempts to be supreme. It really has a dependency on one’s capabilities. The balance of power really drives social conventions and situations.
Recently, everyone has begun to wonder the same thing: why are so many leaders so… corrupt? Why do they care only about a miniscule group of people, throwing aside morals altogether? The feeling of power creates a superiority complex, letting power go to a leader’s head and giving them the desire and means to execute terrible things. This is a problem because many people in our world acquire their power because others believe they can improve the world. Once power takes control, they become corrupt. It is essential for the public to understand this because otherwise, people in power will gain this complex.
Fairness and equality are essential components for humanity to flourish and prosper. These attributes help to ensure that no individual will be denied opportunity based on their gender, skin color, or economic status. Additionally, the utilization of these qualities are designed to avert both disrespect and harm among people. In order for humans to create a more just society for the common good, they must understand the foundation in which an individual is considered “evil”, and to further comprehend the impact this malicious behavior can have on society. Strategies that foster the development of a just society pursuing the common good can be perceived in works by Pope Benedict, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Modern day power originates from the mind in that we give certain figures power based upon man-made forms of value or worth like money. The definition of power has fluctuated throughout time, and while the past may have emphasized the more violent aspects, today, we have shifted towards a more control based interpretation. Both Michael Foucault and John Berger delve into the idea of power and its functionality. Based on their texts, in our current socio-cultural setting, power is best exploited when the concept behind the power is deindividualized for many purposes, internalized by the people, and integrated throughout society to the point that its origins is mystified.
Setting higher standards for those persons in positions of authority and power over the public establishes a prescribed set of standards for which the public expects to be upheld if authorities are to successfully exude their power and authority over the people. Williams and Arrigo state “Along with power comes an increased responsibility to use it in appropriate ways” (2012). As can be seen in current events, when officials abuse the authority by excessive use of force, kickbacks, or unethical or immoral behavior, the public loses trust and respect for the system as a whole, not just for the individual or individuals in question. An expectation of increased morality and value is expected in persons holding positions where the enforcement of laws, societal values and morals are rendered. Williams and Arrigo further state “…with the presence of increased power, discretion, and thus opportunity, the need for morality increases considerably”
The sociological analysis of norms through actions of other people that are influence by power are examined through Luke’s three stages of power. The three stages, decision
Leaders in power use their authority and power for personal gain and attaining of fame. In many given societies it can be argued that those in power uses their power and authority to manipulate the law and attain popularity from a particular group. It is clearly demonstrated and argued that they don 't apply the law equally and with justice instead given race or people are favored by that law and others punished using similar law. When those in power makes mistakes, it has always been hard for them to be prosecuted by law. In
Surface Bombardment: Call down assistance from Qwarkian ship to damage enemy units on the surface