POLITICAL AUTHORITYandINDIVIDUAL CONSCIENCE

Ma. Cecile G Zinampan

Ph.D. Dev Ad min

POLITICAL AUTHORITY

The word “politics” came from the Greek word “politikos” which means “of, for, or relating to citizens”.

the art or science of governmentthe art or science concerned with guiding

or influencing governmental policythe art or science concerned with winning

and holding control over a government

POLITICAL

of or relating to the government or the public affairs of a country.

of or relating to the ideas or strategies of a particular party or group in politics.

interested in or active in politics.

The word authority (Derived from the Latin word ”auctoritas”) can be used to mean power given by the state (in the form of government, judges, police officers, etc.) or by academic knowledge of an area (someone can be an authority on a subject).

The defining mark of the state (the right to rule)

The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

It differs from mere power; it is not simply claiming to have more power than others but rather is claiming a right to decide or control

Conscience is an aptitude, faculty, intuition or judgment that assists in distinguishing right from wrong. Moral judgment may derive from values or norms (principles and rules).

GROUNDS OF POLITICAL AUTHORITY

The Case for Absolute Authority Philosophical Method (Resolutive-Compositive)

Political Philosophy Endeavors or motives are the causes of action Either we are attracted toward something, which we therefore call good, or we are repelled by something, in which case we call it bad.

Thomas Hobbes (1588 – 1679)

“A law of nature is a precept or general rule, found out by reason, by which a man is forbidden to do that which is destructive of his life, or taketh away the means of preserving the same. And consequently, that every man ought to endeavor peace, as far as he has hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek all help and advantages of war.”

Conflict between Authority and Autonomy

Robert Paul Wolff

AUTHORITY AUTONOMY

defining mark of the state

the right to rule

primary rule of man

the refusal to be ruled

1. If the state has authority over the citizen, then the state has the right to command the citizen.

2. If the state has the right to command the citizen, the citizen has the obligation to obey the state just because it is the state.

3. But if the citizen is obligated to be autonomous, then he is obligated to act only from reasons he himself regards as good.

4. If the citizen is obligated to act only for reason he himself regards as good, he cannot be obligated to obey the state just because it is the state.

5. Therefore, it cannot be the case both the citizen is autonomous and under the authority of the state.

According to Professor Wolf:

Obedience is not a matter of doing what someone tells you to do. It is a matter of doing what he tells you because he tells you to do it.

EVALUATING THE POLITICAL ORDER

3 Lines of Investigation:

1. Under what conditions should the state’s claim to authority be accepted?

2. How wide should the authority extend?3. What are the obligations of a citizen to the state and its laws?

What is the proper response of political authority to lawbreaking, on the one hand, and past injustice, on the other?

WISE USE OF POLITICAL POWER WILL BENEFIT MILLIONS

IMMORAL USE OF POLITICAL POWERCAN COST THE LIVES OF MILLION MORE

A COLLEGE OR ITS FACULTY- Establish requirements for graduation

The Court of Appeals gave the Santo Niño Parochial School (SNPS) 24 hours to explain why it should not be cited in contempt of court for initially refusing to issue Certificate of Good Moral Character (CGMC) to its salutatorian Krisel S. Mallari.

“Krisel’s welfare is of paramount interest and of primordial consideration and the State is mandated to act on her behalf to ensure that her rights are protected and her dreams

and hopes are not put to waste.”

COACH OF A SPORTS TEAMdecide the lineup and determine who plays during games

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CHAIR ETTA ROSALES

CHR defends 2 undercover cops beaten up by Sona protestersPhilippine Daily InquirerBy: Jaymee T. Gamil, July 29th, 2015 10:02 PM

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed support for the two undercover policemen mauled by protesters hours before the State of the Nation Address (Sona) last Monday.

In a phone interview on Wednesday, CHR media office chief Banuar Falcon, quoting CHR head Chito Gascon, expressed sympathy for the police officers who “were just doing their jobs.”

The two PNP personnel, Chief Insp. Antonio Ananayo and Police Officer 1 Reden Malagonio, were tasked to conduct covert operations on the protesters on Commonwealth Avenue, but were noticed taking photos, which irked the demonstrators.

The demonstrators claimed they were just conducting a “citizens’ arrest” when they mobbed the two, and hauled them off to jeepneys.

Ananayao remains confined at the Philippine National Police hospital, for head injuries.Falcon said what the police went through in the hands of protesters was “unwarranted treatment.”

“There’s nothing illegal about taking pictures,” Falcon said. He added: “Citizens’ arrests only happen when a crime is being committed.”

“The police weren’t doing anything wrong. They were just ensuring people are safe,” Falcon said.Falcon said that the policemen could file complaints with the CHR. “If they seek our help, of course we will help them and extend legal assistance.”

End of Presentation!