Ahead by getting assassinated, you mean?
I don't think "absolute power corrupts absolutely." The Five Good Emperors (a term coined by Machiavelli) come to mind immediately, and I'm sure there are many more than just those 5 examples of what I'm talking about then those Individuals. But I'm not Norman Davies, and I'm not about to go on Google for this. May absolute power be an igniter for the release of all sorts of "base" behaviors? I could easily understand why. Certainly the danger is real, which is why governments create checks and balances. But I digress...
Power to me is something I use as a leverage when necessary. An increase in power does not affect my basic nature.
Funny. I was actually also thinking of those emperors, especially Marcus Aurelius and his stoicism.
I agree power can be an igniter or, like Systematic said, an amplifier of 'base' behaviors already present. The problem with absolute power (as opposed to just an increase in power) is that it breaks the constraints reality has over us, constraints we're often relying on to stay in balance. Just like how our biological wiring to get hooked to sugar served us well in the past but now gets us obese when we're confronted with a world where sugar is no longer scarce.
ThenFuckit stated: source post
Power only corrupts powerless people.
Tryptamine stated: source post
I don't think "absolute power corrupts absolutely." The Five Good Emperors (a term coined by Machiavelli) come to mind immediately, and I'm sure there are many more than just those 5 examples of what I'm talking about then those Individuals. But I'm not Norman Davies, and I'm not about to go on Google for this. May absolute power be an igniter for the release of all sorts of "base" behaviors? I could easily understand why. Certainly the danger is real, which is why governments create checks and balances. But I digress...
Power to me is something I use as a leverage when necessary. An increase in power does not affect my basic nature.
Inquirer stated: source post
Funny. I was actually also thinking of those emperors, especially Marcus Aurelius and his stoicism.
I agree power can be an igniter or, like Systematic said, an amplifier of 'base' behaviors already present. The problem with absolute power (as opposed to just an increase in power) is that it breaks the constraints reality has over us, constraints we're often relying on to stay in balance. Just like how our biological wiring to get hooked to sugar served us well in the past but now gets us obese when we're confronted with a world where sugar is no longer scarce.
Power which is granted vs Power which is earned vs Power taken....may also act to a/effect the one's in power...to use or abuse power? And by whose definition is it abuse?
Crackalackin stated: source post
Powerful men have only learned to perpetuate ignorance. Absolute power does not exist. Power is perceived.
True. Some will not bend, and to break them, you need to kill them...if left alive they will only come back to destroy those in power.