JP567/667 Authority and Freedom
The concept of authority is generally neglected in contemporary culture. It is often assumed to be a synonym for power and the antonym of freedom. In fact, exactly the reverse is true. Genuine authority exists in opposition to power; it implies and involves constraint, but it ultimately depends on freedom, not coercion. This course examines what authority is and how it works, in society, Church and individual. It considers its relationship to power and its interaction with freedom. Particular attention is paid to the dynamics of authority in faith, love and the service of life. |
