Mr. Ed
Be what you is not what you what you ain’t
- Location
- Central NY
Do you remember assuming/believing authority and integrity were synonymous with one another?
Do you remember believing authority and integrity were synonymous with one another?
- Thread starter Mr. Ed
- Start date
Pecos
Well-known Member
- Location
- Washington State
I do, and it is very "iffy" these days
Devi
Well-known Member
- Location
- East WA USA
Vaguely, but that was many decades ago, when I was not yet an adult.
Don M.
SF VIP
- Location
- central Missouri
I suspect "integrity" among those in "authority" probably become quite rare the first time humans elected a politician or anointed a King/Queen.
hiraeth2018
Member
- Location
- Oregon
In my experience those two words seldom describe one person.
asp3
Senior Member
- Location
- Silicon Valley, CA
They've never been synonymous to me. Trusted authority yes, just authority no. On earned trusted and part of that required integrity.
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
Maybe when I was a child.
Nope. I doubt that too many children ever think about "integrity" anyway, unless they have been dreadfully abused or betrayed by an adult. The concept of integrity is an adult concept.
What would be more interesting to me is if your question asked about childhood assumptions about authority and competence.
What would be more interesting to me is if your question asked about childhood assumptions about authority and competence.
Lewkat
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey, USA
I do not recall equating the two. Integrity really hasn't anything to do with authority. I would hope whether or not we are authoritative figures that we all have integrity.
Aunt Bea
SF VIP
- Location
- Near Mount Pilot
No.
I do believe that we should all have respect for positions of authority even if we don't have respect for the individuals that occupy them.
IMO our society appears to be breaking down as individuals take it upon themselves to decide which of the people in positions of authority if any they choose to obey or comply with.
If the people in those positions are not appropriate then we have an obligation to work within the system to remove and replace them.
I do believe that we should all have respect for positions of authority even if we don't have respect for the individuals that occupy them.
IMO our society appears to be breaking down as individuals take it upon themselves to decide which of the people in positions of authority if any they choose to obey or comply with.
If the people in those positions are not appropriate then we have an obligation to work within the system to remove and replace them.
Geezerette
Senior Member
No. Either I was never taught it or unlearned& it very very early in life. Also learned not to assume the integrity is there until I see it demonstrated.
fuzzybuddy
SF VIP
- Location
- The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I used to think that if someone was in authority, then they naturally had to have integrity. But, back then, I believed in the Tooth Fairy. Unfortunately people are all too human. I think the US Constitution is a remarkable down to earth evaluation of mankind. It created these great offices of power. And the next sentence was always how to get rid of the SOB.
fmdog44
Well-known Member
- Location
- Houston, Texas
I was raised to never trust authority. Just because a person has a position of authority does not mean that person is competent to execute it.
JaniceM
Well-known Member
- Location
- still lost between two shores..
I'd take the first word to cover two different concepts..
First, the concept of "authority figures" is something I was not taught, so never really believed in. Even as a little kid, I was encouraged to take the "people are people" approach, and individuals some would consider 'authority figures' as "people doing their jobs." (some better than others of course).
Second, the term used as a synonym for 'experts'- he/she is 'an authority' on whatever subject. I don't put a lot of stock in that, either, unless there are clear facts to back it up.
It reminds me of my first online writing gig when the company owner asked "What subjects are you an expert on?" Me being me: "Define 'expert'."
Quoting Kerouac, too often what comes from an 'authority' or an 'expert' is nothing more than "Fads and trends and popular opinion."
As for integrity, I've always believed it's essential for everybody.
Phoenix
Senior Member
- Location
- Oregon, U S
Yep, it's back the the statement "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
I remember bumper stickers that said, "Question Authority." That was during the Vietnam War.
The thirst for money, the thirst for power, the thirst to have what the rich people have, the drive to have the best (adequate is a bygone word)
the salaries of those we view (movie stars, football players)-why can't we earn a salary close to what they make. Why am I not earning $100.000.00
per year, most do-don't they. I sucking hind tit, i'm am lost in a financially driven society.
These people have the power of money, i don't see the lack of integrity has harmed them.
It is difficult to name one person as an example of a person with integrity.
I can name many with power (money).
Apparently, integrity is a word to be spoken, not incorporate as a trait that useful.
the salaries of those we view (movie stars, football players)-why can't we earn a salary close to what they make. Why am I not earning $100.000.00
per year, most do-don't they. I sucking hind tit, i'm am lost in a financially driven society.
These people have the power of money, i don't see the lack of integrity has harmed them.
It is difficult to name one person as an example of a person with integrity.
I can name many with power (money).
Apparently, integrity is a word to be spoken, not incorporate as a trait that useful.
Phoenix
Senior Member
- Location
- Oregon, U S
Well, that's a sad accessment. Without integrity, there is nothing.
Random Retirement guy
New Member
Ah yes. But I was much younger then
