The well-being of a society is enhanced when many of its people question authority
The well-being of a society depends a lot on the flourishing of new ideas among its people even if it challenges the ideas and beliefs of the authority. A society must progress with changing times. History has shown us that absolute power of authority if not questioned has often led to the manipulation of people’s minds to their and a particular group of people’s advantage. There have been many people in the past who have fought against authority because of which we are able to enjoy the freedom that we have today, in fact, the western would not have progressed as much as it has today if there weren’t people who questioned the authority.
Society must change its beliefs and traditions with time in order to evolve its way of life. Had human beings not constantly changed their beliefs and traditions from time to time we would have still been hunters and gatherers. Authority in society always tries to prevent changes from happening because they believe their way is right, even our parents who are our closest authority most of the time want us to follow their rules because they believe it is right for us. Sex education has always been taboo but people in many countries realized later on that it leads to a reduction in rapes and illegal abortions which has always been a nuisance for society in a humanitarian way and so many countries are now including sex education in the school curriculum, still many countries haven’t done so because it is frowned upon by the people in authority.
When authority takes its extreme form it tries to manipulate the people’s minds for their propaganda so that their way of thinking passes on from generation to generation. There have been many incidents throughout history where people in authority have tried to do so for example Adolf Hitler through his excellent oratory skills and propaganda manipulated the people into believing about the supremacy of the Aryan race and how the Jews were the real enemies, he even made sure that the children learn the same propaganda through their textbooks. He also made sure that no one questions him and if someone tried to do so he used to make his Gestapo assassinate them right away. Kim Jong Un the supreme leader of North Korea is also doing the same, quieting down anyone who tries to question his authority and the misery of the people living in the country is very well known to the world whereas, on the other hand, the high quality of life of people living in the Scandinavian countries where people are freely allowed to question authority and openly talk about new ideas and beliefs is clearly visible.
However, it can be argued that authority promotes discipline and prevents chaos between groups of people having different ideologies. Since in a society different people come from different backgrounds and have different outlook there will be a clash of ideologies between them and since in this scenario it is impossible to make everyone happy here authorities come into play, they regulate the flow of ideas and take decisions on behalf of the people for stabilization of the society. How much ever this might be true but the demerits of inability to question the authority by the people cannot be ignored. This issue can be resolved if like in the western world the authority is flexible and doesn’t object to change and exchange of different opinions including their own criticism but at the same time is able to maintain the sanctity of the society.
All in all questioning authority is very important for the people of a society to not plunge into the propaganda of a few and then consequently into misery. But on the other hand, as much as the exchange of new ideas and change is necessary, the presence of discipline and harmony is also important for a society to develop. One of the main reasons why the western world has progressed and the well-being of their people has enhanced throughout the years is because the people there have always challenged the beliefs and traditions of the authority. Hence, questioning authority is very important in enhancing the well-being of society.
So, guys, this is my view on this issue please let me know down in the responses what are your opinions should universities require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student’s field of study?
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