Authoritarianism: An Ephemeral Selfishness with Blasphemy against Authority

Unpeer-reviewed paper (Philpapers)

https://philpapers.org/rec/HORAAE-3

Abstract

This paper shows that authoritarianism is ephemeral selfishness. Utilizing authority unjustly is a blasphemy against authority. This is due to ephemeral selfish thinking that does not consider long-term benefits. Anti-power is also a form of authoritarianism. Plato’s critique of sophists promoted authoritarianism. Philosophy inherits authoritarianism strongly. Utilization of words of great figures without criticism and application of words lacking examination are prominent. Suppression of criticism without alternative proposals is also characteristic. This is rampant not only in philosophy but also in natural science. Authority should be judged reasonably, and both utilization and criticism should be conducted.

1. Authoritarianism as an Ephemeral Selfishness

Authoritarianism is a standpoint that makes a certain authority absolute.

The reason authoritarianism is viewed as a problem is when application of authority is unjust.

And, utilizing authority unjustly is what damages the legitimacy of authority. As the criticism called authoritarianism arose, it demeans concrete authority and the concept of authority. It makes authoritarianism itself, which makes authority absolute, more unjust.

In other words, unjust utilization of authority considered authoritarianism is an ephemeral and selfish standpoint. This is a blasphemy against authority consisting of lack of understanding of authority.

Easy anti-power is also a form of authoritarianism. It is uncritical servant to authority that opposes hostile power. However, it is lacking understanding of that authority called anti-power, and is conducting blasphemy against anti-power.

In addition, what is called authority includes not only great figures and power, but also strong words and popular things, etc.

2. Plato’s Critique of Sophists as a Hotbed of Authoritarianism

In modern times, easy authoritarianism is rampant in many areas.

As one of the large factors of the hotbed of this authoritarianism, Plato’s critique of sophists is cited.

Sophists are teachers who was active in ancient Greece and acted receiving money. In Plato’s critique, they were grasped negatively as a contrast of Socrates. As Heidegger points out, main descriptions about sophists concentrate almost on Plato’s critique. Heidegger reevaluated that there are positive parts in sophists. However, it is considered a theory for reinforcement of Heidegger’s own opinion to the last, and reevaluation is only a theory of evaluation of sophists.

Plato’s critique was utilized for authorization of Socrates. By impression manipulation that they are sophists who are mundane and center on criticism using sophistry, he strengthened Socrates and authority who constructed and practiced noble and constructive theories.

This view of sophists unjustly demeaned validity of criticism without alternative proposals. Pointing out mistakes of incorrect theories is valid by itself. It is still better if alternative proposals and corrections can be made. However, it made that valid pointing out difficult.

This leads to unjust maintenance of authority. It is exactly authoritarianism.

Plato’s direct authoritarianism is well known, rather, suppression of criticism without alternative proposals using critique of sophists contributed to authority.

3. Philosophy Inheriting Authoritarianism Strongly

One of the fields falling into authoritarianism most is philosophy.

It uses words of great figures uncritically. It uses them in situations that do not match prerequisite conditions of the words. At least in concrete situations, words of authority are not used simply. In addition, there are few papers of only negation of a certain theory. Especially, if it is an environment where words of great figures are abused, negating words has tremendous effect to prevent unjust abuse. In other words, suppression of negation without alternative proposals also leads to making authority maintained unjustly.

As a result, unjust arguments continue to increase. Of course, this is nothing but blasphemy against authority due to lack of understanding of authority. Authority here includes not only concrete personal names but also authority of philosophy.

4. Ephemeral Benefits Accompanied by Historical Damage by Superstring Theory

And, this attitude of philosophy is spreading to natural science as well. Uncritical utilization of theories that become authority is admitted. There are many people who are uncritical of authority called natural science as well. Superstring theory aims at integration of theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. However, the two have different prerequisite conditions and integration is impossible.

Those who utilize superstring theory utilize authority called superstring theory.

That is for ephemeral selfish benefits, and they cannot consider their subsequent careers and infamy. thay also cannnot consider historical damage to the authority of physics.

Conclusion

Authority should be utilized in valid situations.

Negative concept as authoritarianism makes validity damaged even in that situation.

Authority should have reasonable evaluation done to it, and should be either utilized or criticized.

One of the factors of the hotbed of that authoritarianism lies in philosophy, and it should be realized that it still inherits that hotbed strongly now.