AUTHORITY

A young promising doctor started working in a prominent hospital a year ago. He had an excellent record. His diagnoses were always correct. Although sometimes he was overridden by more senior doctors with whom he had to consult, they always had to fall back on his assessments. Inevitably there came a time when the life of a patient hung on his professional judgement. His consultant disagreed with his diagnosis. The young doctor was certain that the treatment his senior prescribed would do nothing to help his patient. But he did what his senior ordered anyway. That was the first patient of his to die needlessly. He thought, "How tragically odd this situation is. I seem to be more an authority on medical matters than my senior, yet I have no authority and the one who has authority is hardly an authority."

Is it necessary to be an authority in order to have authority?

Should the young doctor have obeyed his superior?

Was the superior doctor's lack of faith in the younger doctor immoral?

Who was responsible for the patient's death?

If the younger doctor's assessment of his patient was wrong and he disobeyed his superior, who would have been responsible had the patient died?

How important is it for those in authority to listen to all advice?

How important is it for people to obey authority?

Can any organization survive if people do not follow instructions?

There were five hundred dollars in a wallet in Dwain's bag and now the money was missing. "Where was the bag?" the principal asked. "On my desk in the classroom," Dwain replied. The principal felt that she had no choice; everyone who was in the class was to be searched. Each student, in turn, was thoroughly searched but the missing money could not be found.

The principal then addressed the whole class. She stressed the seriousness of the crime of theft saying that it is not a school disciplinary matter but a criminal one which could lead to a police investigation, and someone would go to jail. She also promised anyone who is involved in the theft would be immediately expelled from school.

The next day the thief was found. He was showing off his loot to a friend and was spotted, To everyone's surprise the principal took no action against him. When it was discovered that the thief's father was related to the principal there was great disappointment among the students. They lost all respect for their principal. As one student put it, "Why should anyone obey a woman who does not obey herself?"

How important is it to keep a promise?

How binding is a promise?

Is it wise to bind oneself by a promise if it is not really necessary?

If a leader loses the respect of his subordinates, does he lose his power to lead? Does he lose his authority to lead?

Did the principal act immorally by not punishing the thief?

Are people influenced by the actions of leaders? Do people tend to act according to what they see their leaders do?

What damage may have been caused by the actions of the principal?

A mugger pulled out a gun on an old man one day in a park and ordered him to hand over all his money. The old man turned to him and looked him straight in the eye. "Why should I do that?" he said. The mugger held up his gun to the man's face and retorted indignantly. "Because this says so." "Son," the old man replied, my doctor says that I would not live to see the end of the year. My children are all grown up and settled. Most of my old friends have already died. Neither you nor your gun have any authority over me because I am not afraid of death."

Do people sometimes give themselves up to illegitimate authority?

Can anyone force another to be under authority?

Can one assume authority without it being given?

What does fear have to do with authority?

Do we give others authority over ourselves because of fear?

Do we sometimes give ourselves up to the authority of others because we fear to take responsibility for our own actions?

Fifteen-year-old Cindy was very angry. She saw no reason why she could not go out with John. It is so unfair she thought. Why was her mother so against her boyfriend? There was really nothing specifically bad about John. Cindy's mom just had this feeling about John. Something about him made her very uneasy. Although Cindy begged, her mother refused to let her go out with him and she never did.

Where does authority come from? Who or what gives anyone authority over another?

Where does the authority of parents come from?

Can authority come from force? Is forced authority only as strong as the fear of punishment?

Can a parent have responsibility for a child without having authority over him or her?

Can there ever be authority without responsibility?

If we are requested to act by someone in authority in a way contrary to our conscience, what should we do?

Does our conscience have authority over our actions?

If an authority demands someone to do a morally wrong deed and that person's conscience tells him that it will be worse to obey than to disobey, would it be wrong to disobey? If the person obeys the demand, would the authority have acted immorally or would the person who obeys be guilty?

A beloved servant of a great king was ill to the point of death. Full of compassion, the king asked if there was anything he wanted before he died. The servant begged the king to look after his son who lived in a remote part of the country. The king agreed. After the servant died the king had the young boy brought to the palace and told all the servants to treat the boy as they would the king's own child. The boy enjoyed life in the palace and was particularly fond of his personal servant charged with being a foster mother to him.

This servant, however, was strict with him and tried to let him understand his grave responsibilities as an adopted child of the king. But he was impetuous. One day, after being scolded for some impropriety, he said in anger to a senior servant that he never wanted to see his foster mother again. The next day he was shocked to find out that his personal servant was sent away and was never coming back. "But you cannot just send her away," he pleaded with the senior servant.

"My lord," the servant replied "I beg you to understand the power and authority of your word. Whatever you utter will be done for you. The king has instructed us to obey you, so that is why your words have authority. From where we sent your personal servant it will be difficult to find her quickly, however, it will be done as soon as possible. But my lord, with great authority comes great responsibility. Your word is very powerful, I beg you to watch its use very carefully."

Did the young boy understand the power of his words?

Do you understand the power of your own words and their consequences?

Do you consider how others might be affected by what you say?

Do your words have power over anything or anybody?

Are you sure about the extent of your own power and authority?

Should you be careful with your speech?

Activity: Considering 'God,' the State, a traffic policeman, and a driver of a vehicle, draw a flowchart of the line of authority from 'God' to the driver's vehicle.

Draw the following other flowcharts:

Show the line of authority ending with a young girl bathing her dog.

Show the line of authority ending with a convict being placed in jail.