Your respect for authority?

[BurnedOut]

Apathy. I consider authority as a tool to get shit done. I usually don't adhere to the established rules and sometimes am lucky enough to be granted that leeway.

In general, I detest authority and have had some problems with it but usually I am too absent-mindedness or occupied in my work to pay attention to anything but the deadline. Other than that, I don't care if somebody is elder to me or more accomplished or popular. These things don't matter to me. As a result, I have no problem with being blunt to authority when I am pissed but I also ensure that I victimize myself appropriately to prevent the authority from further abusing their power because most commonly most leaders hate to be socially accountable to somebody. If you portray them as a dictator, they quickly get in line. This is because 9/10, the said leader does make the rules and is too high in the sky to even think about these 'rules'. They dream of becoming popular more than getting work done efficiently. If the said leader proceeds to debate with me, I have zero trouble proving their (fictional or real) guilt in the situation which makes them leave me alone.

The disadvantage of this is that I have to be as self-sufficient as possible in all aspects and furthermore ensure that I come off as being altruistic to seal my deal in a group setting.

Spoiler

I lead a single life on most part. Close ones, I can be myself with. In unfamiliar settings, I have no choice but to engage in reciprocating behaviours. This is generally not a big enough problem because unlike most other people who are active on social media, I don't have to consider the effect of my decisions on my social media persona which is also tied to my social persona. By being relatively successful at detaching from my super ego when necessary, I am free to work on my abilities for as long as I am interested. I have calculated the trade-off between autodidactic behaviour and social engagement. So far, I have been pretty happy about it. By not having to give too many shits about super-ego, it is surprising for many people (but not for me) to see me jump leaps and bounds in something I am investing my time in. This protects me from being vulnerable to external social factors to a good degree. Perhaps that is why I was able to get out of my major depression phase in just a year in comparison to the general cases wherein the time taken is a lot more than this.

 

[Black Rose]

authority needs an author does it not. Like a book author. No one is in total control of their own story. Yet we are not exactly puppets. Your opinion on free will matters.

 

[Hadoblado]

I try to be flexible. Sometimes authority is earned. A lot of the time someone with a lot of experience knows more than I do or is better equipped to make big picture decisions.

But I struggle if I feel someone hasn't earned the authority they wield. This is a fair amount of the time but I do try to start off by giving people the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Creeping Death]

Someone must have genuine authority for me to respect it. My testicles have more authority than any law enforcement agent or government representative, therefore I do not respect their "authority". I don't associate authority with someone's official position in society, moreso in the way a person carries themselves, handles situations and lives their life. True men and women of honor who are calculated, intellectual and audacious, doing what needs to be done regardless of people or policies that stand in the way, they have genuine authority.. not judges, agencies or politicians.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Ascribed vs achieved status.

Domains like philosophy, individual views or spirituality leave no room for authority, there can be none. In domains where I'm not an expert I carefully rely on others for help, but judge if their decisions make sense. I respect no authority in areas of my work, I would never allow someone to dictate how I should execute or design something.

I never accept people as leaders, they can be my teachers if I respect their knowledge, or friends. I can take their advice, admire and respect them, but I'll never follow orders if I absolutely don't have to or cooperation isn't necessary.

I'm an artist and my vision cannot be compromised. Whenever I can, I prefer well defined areas of responsibility or working alone. I go much harder on myself than I do on others when I'm the boss.

 

[Drvladivostok]

There are two indicators to judge the validity of an authority for me; the validity of their orders and the consent given to the authority, Most Authority is actually not based on force (At least not Physical) and sanctions but by its ability to influence our mentality and make us compel ourselves, the vast majority of legal process aren't criminal but administrative and private, if you have a lawless society that have 10% of everyone stealing, imposition in law won't make all 10% go to prison, most will just comply (Not to say this society have 100% crime-to-incarceration rate). The optimal authority gives individuals appropriate autonomy over their action.

However socially most people don't have that cognitive autonomy to act by their own initiatives and are more comfortable to be led even if that conga line ends in an edge of a cliff, people don't have the inclination to be independent, I think that's the great paradox of individualism, when people are given the choice to act on their own accord they chose to follow orders, this also conclude in the problem of 'bad laws/authority' since most people have the tendency to follow orders & herd to the flock, it is difficult to mitigate when the authority pass the line of immorality and giving illogical orders and still be followed. this is probably the biggest critique of our positivist legal system; remember that most Germans follow Hitler up until the very bitter end.

The best way to filter bad authority from valid ones are probably to examine whether or not their orders have any basis in reality or not.

 

[ZenRaiden]

Maybe, maybe not, maybe go fuck yourself.

 

[sushi]

similarity and admiration, similar to self, admiring his traits and qualities.

if both lacking, could not give a damn about his power and position