Ideal Authority

The American Identity.

When one thinks about the American Identity, one would automatically assume the virtues life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are what fulfils this definition. The American identity is defined solely on freedom. The freedom to do and say as one pleases. The freedom to act upon what one feels is right, also known as the Laws of Nature. These are not only personal rights, but the first amendment of the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was set forth by governing authority, and as an American, citizens must submit to. But citizens also have the right to choose not to submit to higher authority if it was to contradict one’s personal beliefs. To the governing authorities, one would be acting out in disobedience, to

Which decision is in the wrong? Although authority and disobedience complement each other, abused power in authority creates disobedience.

Disobedience occurs when authority lacks social order. When one thinks of ideal authority, one may think of a personal figure. Ideal authority is well qualified and is always working for the common good of society. Ideal authority is responsible for the actions taken realizing the decisions made affect everyone in the surroundings. Ideal authority is understanding and interactive, always willing to listen to ideas that may be reasonable. An ideal authority is powerful, but does take advantage of that power. In “The Declaration of Independence,” Thomas Jefferson expresses the importance of equality and personal freedom. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Jefferson, pp. 108). This proves that equality is important no matter the authority level, all citizens were given the same amount of rights and freedom to express those rights in ways that feel personally correct.

Personal beliefs shape the way a person thinks and affects the way a person comes to a decision. When authority sets forth rules that must be followed, a decision is made whether to abide by them or to simply disobey them. Disobedience is an act of faith. In “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Mark Twain expresses the hesitation between doing what is right versus doing what is wrong. “Then I thought a minute, and says to myself, hold on,--s’pose you’d done right and give Jim up, would you feel better than what you do now? No, says I, I’d feel bad—I’d feel just the same way I do now” (Twain, pp. 106). This quote conveys the emotions Huck feels after doing what is right according to his personal beliefs, versus what is right according to the authority. Personal beliefs cause disobedience because they are solidified, whereas authority is only temporary. If authority proposes laws that contradicts one’s personal beliefs disobedience occurs because it is one’s right to personally choose what right and what is wrong. Although acting out in disobedience may cause consequences, it is important to stay true to personal beliefs because they allow freedom of choice rather than being forced to do something one feels is