The Swamp logo

On the Philosophy of Power

How to understand power

By Aziz DhaouadiPublished 5 years ago 9 min read
Like
Photo by Giammarco Boscaro on Unsplash

Of all the quests humans have undertaken such as glory, fame, and fortune, power is the most detrimental. Throughout the ages, numerous individuals, kings, and emperors embarked on the perilous journey to acquire power. Many succeeded, and many gave up their lives trying to find this priceless jewelry. In a sense, power is the philosopher’s stone's sister. However, the most arduous part is not acquiring it, but maintaining it. Nonetheless, one ought not to think that acquiring power shall be an easy process; quite the contrary. Another difference that shall be mentioned is that power does not have a single formula to be applied to conceive it or acquire it. There are myriad approaches one can implement to obtain power, and each comes with its own pros, and cons. We will not discourse on those methods, for many others did, and shall one want to know them, one shall read the books written on such a subject. On the other hand, we will discourse on other aspects of power. As we hold forth on these aspects, we are not claiming to be the truth-bearers, instead we are merely exploring them. Some might be oblivious to these aspects by such rendering this discourse informative. Others might be familiar with them, thereby making this discourse a reminder, yet there is no better way to remember than a reminder. Our discourse will tackle three major aspects of power being; its definition, its nature and forms, and the reasons behind its irresistible charm. But before we commence, one ought to ask that if this discourse is nothing but a fascination by power’s seductive charms. Perhaps power attracts both the wise and the great alike? But, what exactly is power?

The two most interesting definitions of power found in the Oxford dictionary are the ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way, and the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. In other terms, power is the capacity or ability to act in a certain way, and influence or control how others behave. It is worth mentioning that these two definitions solely define, quite abstractly, the individual power. Power, as perceived politically, is omitted from these definitions, for power’s definition changes slightly if one shall regard it from a political view. Nonetheless, such a change is not quite necessary, and we shall reveal why in the upcoming parts. One’s power, the individual power, allows one to act in a certain way i.e. as one desires or allows one to influence others' behavior and events’ outcome. The first definition highlights the aspect of one’s freedom to act within one’s limit. It is of utter importance that one differentiates between one’s power to act within one’s limits, an one’s ability to exert one’s power outside those limits, because for the latter situation to take place, it requires more than one’s power to be put into action. However, exerting one’s power within one’s limit permits myriad actions to happen, regardless of their nature. As one’s creation dawns, so does one’s power, and as time works its miraculously terrifying magic, one’s power thrives as one grows old. The first aspect of one’s power to be developed is physical power, for one’s might strengthens, as one swims in time’s river. The second aspect of power to be developed is mental power. Such power allows one to withstand life’s atrocities, and hardships as life unfolds its dark side. The third aspect to be developed is social power. This grants one the power to enter different social groups, and act as one pleases. Accordingly, the individual power summarises three aspects, each with its own limits. These three aspects play an immensely crucial role in defining one’s ability to influence other’s actions, or events’ outcome(s). This second aspect of power is but a conditional one. In truth, such an aspect greatly depends on the first aspect of power, for one may live a full life yet never influence others, let alone events’ outcomes. This might strike as strange for we said that one’s power increases as one grows old. Admittedly, at an advanced age one shall have power to influence others or events, but it is not always the case, which raises a question: if one’s accumulated power does not allow one to influence others or events as mentioned in the definition, then what does? This particular question leads us to the second part, which is nature and forms of power.

One’s power, as mentioned above, has its limits. The physical power, mental power, and social power are all subject to limits. Accumulating power does not necessarily mean that one transcended those limits; quite the contrary. As one accumulates power, one is but honing one’s ability to execute that power within one’s limits. As aforementioned, shall one desire to exercise one’s power outside those limits, one shall use other tools other than one’s individual power. This has a plausible logic to it, and to illustrate it, we ought to imagine an individual as a lion. An adult lion is quite strong, yet he is as strong as believed to be only within his territory. Outside of that territory, there might be lions who are stronger, and so shall that lion want to exercise his power, things won’t turn the way he wants, for his power is all but supreme outside of his territory. This illustration teaches us two important lessons about power: The first one is that power is not absolute. That is, one can be very well powerful, but one is never the most powerful. The second one is that power does not generate authority, yet authority gives an irrefutable power. Authority is what allows one to influence others, and events’ outcomes, and without it, a mighty individual is no different from an ordinary one. One ought to see authority as a different form of power, and we have already introduced one, which is the individual power. He who wants to be more powerful ought to seek authority, not to accumulate more individual power, for the latter will never give you any authority. However, such an accumulation allows one to be very skillful, which may give rise to praises; praises that many misinterpret for authority. The individual power and authority are two different forms of power, one responsible for taking control over one’s fate, and the other is to influence, whether others or events. Albeit, these two forms of power are complementary. As one becomes very skilled with one’s power, one ought to seek authority to widen one’s circle of power. Shall such a situation occur, one not only enlarges one’s power, but also secures one’s status as a powerful individual. We mentioned that time has miraculously terrifying magic, and we shall reiterate this fact. It is undoubtedly true that, as one grows old, one is more powerful, however, that only accounts for the overall power. An important aspect of individual power will decrease with time, which is the physical power, yet the other two aspects account for that loss by such rendering one more powerful overall. On the other hand, it is important to understand that without any authority, as one grows old, one is not perceived as powerful, but as wise for one became master of one’s own fate, which is plausible, yet not enough to be addressed as powerful. This can be observed in nowadays societies quite easily, where only those with authorities are addressed as powerful, while others, regardless of their individual powers, are considered as plain, or normal. Following, it is very important for those on a journey to accumulate and acquire power to ensure a certain authority to themselves in order to be able to exert their powers on a whole different level. Yet, one might lose one’s authority, thereby becoming but a mere individual with ordinary power. Authority is extremely tricky to acquire, yet it is swiftly lost. This brings us to the nature of power. Power under its two forms has two fundamental natures, which are true power and subordinate power. True power is one that is acquired by one’s capabilities, intellect, and efforts, whereby subordinate power is acquired through other’s efforts, and capabilities, yet one’s intellect. Authority, as one obtains it, gives more power, but such power is only valid as long as the authority is maintained, and that’s where the nature of one’s power comes in. It is unarguable that power will never generate authority, yet without it, authority can never be maintained. The aspects of power that maintain authority are mental power, and social power. Nevertheless, those aspects of the individual power can be genuine, or subordinate. Shall one acquire those aspects by sheer personal effort, and intellect, one shall face no trouble or hardships in maintaining one’s authority. Yet, shall one develop one’s mental, and social power by befriending those of genuine power, one shall lose one’s authority sooner or later. Admittedly, entropy increases by time, and where entropy increases, trouble follows. Such logic is applicable to human relationships and perfectly explains why a subordinately-maintained authority shall never last long. Genuine power is admired and appreciated, but subordinated power is feared, yet loathed. And, humans are quite vile, as well as wicked. Consequently, at one’s earliest inconvenience, one shall be alone, and most importantly vulnerable, which signals but the end of one’s authority, and perhaps life for nothing is more atrocious than being at others' mercy. The latter statement paves the road that shall take us to our final part which the reason our immense fascination with power.

Humans display different behaviors that fall under numerous categories. Those behaviors are subject to change depending on the circumstances that unravel as life ever-steadily advances, yet the fear of both oblivion, and tyranny is forever present. This fear is the cause behind our enthrallment by power for power that is our ultimate defense against eternity’s immensity and tyranny’s horrors. It is quite wonderful, dare we say, to live a full life, albeit it shall be glorious if that life is to be remembered by the generations to come. It is quite logical if one argues that scientists and those who pursue academic careers are celebrated, yet there are two downfalls to such logic. The first is the arduousness of making an invention or a discovery that ought to be celebrated. The second is that fame rooted in science is but small, or rather limited. Of all the extraordinary minds that walked the earth, some are known, and fewer are celebrated for their work. Nonetheless, all-powerful individuals are either famous or infamous. Following, all those who seek to glorify their lives, and write their names on history pages embark on the perilous journey to find and acquire power. However, many lose their paths and know fates more horrific than death. Just as power renders one glorious, it can render one insane. The race to acquire power is very competitive, and full of monstrosities and only those who are worthy shall grant it for power tames life’s wildest, most ruthless monster, and that is fortune.

humanity
Like

About the Creator

Aziz Dhaouadi

Knowledge is meant to be shared not kept hidden.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.