Authority… what do we mean by that and how does it affect us?

First, a little bit of historical background. A famous german phylosophy, one of the founding father of existentialism K. Jaspers, the concept of authority defined as historical power unity of being in this world. What did he really mean?

I want to show you an example on a Russian folk fairy tale about Ilya Muromets.

Near Murom town, in Kacharovo village, Ilya Muromets was born. For thirty three years, unable to use his legs, he sat still. Thanks to his unbeleavable intuition and some fortunate series of events he gained the ability to walk.
Then Ilya Muromets fought Nightingale-bandit, and won. Then he split an evil oak into slivers and set free a lot of people. He became fabulously wealthy.
He shot a witch, married a beautiful woman. But that’s not the end of his story. Ilya Muromets dug out a very deep grave, dragged into it the coffin with his opponent Sviatogor’s body in it, buried it, said his good byes and went to Kiev. Where he lived for 200 years. And then died. Through all his life Ilya Muromets defeated many enemies of Russian land and was known for that.

All in all it seems very nice. Wonder-hero proved to the whole world, that a village boy, who was born as an invalid, can go through the path of becoming almighty hero, a man able to protect the whole country. He did really prove to everyone - “I am capable” in this world.

If a person really able to protect themselves like Ilya Muromets and reach their goals, others see them as competent and consider their opinion being correct.
This is a natural way of authority being formed. Because of that Ilya Muromets is able to influence others. He radiates stamina, sthrength, and perseverance.

The hero proved to himself, first of all, that he is a fine fellow and has his place in this world. And those, who believe themselves to be valuable can influence others.
We perceive something, what we see as a charm in a person, and that adds authority to their decsicions and actions.

Summing up, I can say that a real authority have those, who achieved something meaningful and believe themselves to be valuable and competent.
People like that allow to build a society, which they can manage themselves. That’s an ideal, in theory. But how is it in a real life?

Authority holds a lot of danger.

First of all, there are other kinds of charm, like “narcississtic charisma” or “dissocial charm”. This is also a kind of confidence, but it isn’t based on the sense of self- worth, it’s empty on the inside and very shallow.
A person is a master of copying this charm, they don’t create it themselves. And simultaneously you have an underlying, unpleasant, and inexplicable feeling of self-worth loss.
Those authority figures , as a matter of fact, are not experts in “being capable” , they are just creating an appearance, a smoke screen. It’s too easy to fall for their charm, and then get disappointed.
Second of all, perhaps, another most common danger of authority fugures - allowing it to influence all areas of life, when they are competent in a single one.
Imagine for a minute, that Ilya Muromets is your dad and you accept his opinion as unquestionably correct. He is an expert in “being capable” area. And here you are in a trap. You aren’t free anymore.
Now you cannot even make a decision about a haircut, that’s not aligned with your “father’s”. Attention, please! A person can be an authority only in the area they are an expert in. Otherwise you are risking getting yourself into the trap of their opinion.

In this case, authority is a pathological belief, that robs you of your freedom.
Having such belief in life doesn’t allow us to be ourselves, hear our inner voice, develope our self worth, and, finally, leads to a crisis.
To avoid that, before you listen to anyone’s opinion, make sure they are an expert in that area!

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See you on the Milky Way, Your life coach Ekaterina Rozhdestvenskaya.