A Critique of the Power-Values Dynamics

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

A Critique of the Power-Values Dynamics

Socrates Ebo
Center for Continuing Education, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Federal University Otuoke, Nigeria

Abstract: A cursory thought on power and value might view the two concepts as having nothing to do with each other. But a deeper philosophical thought on the two concepts would reveal interesting relationships between the two concepts. Could political power endure for long if it is not anchored on some values? Could a value endure in a society if it is not anchored on some sort of power, political or transcendental? This unique but puzzling relationship is the focus of this work. Power is ultimately predicated on some values for the justification of its exercise. Values require some sort of force to become widespread, effectual and duly respected in the society.
It is a purely philosophical rumination on mundane concepts that are rarely dwelt on by everyday men in everyday life. The method of this work is intuitive and analytic. It would rely heavily on library researches and analyzed intuitions.

I. INTRODUCTION

The concept of power seems so far removed from the concept of value. Powers is often about influence, authority, force and politics. Values on the other hand are often about mores, behaviors, morality, laws and religion. A cursory look on the two concepts might suggest no resonance between the two concepts. However, a critical appraisal of the two concepts would interestingly reveal that they are interwoven [1]. Power is the basis of life. Life itself is an expression of power. It is also an expression with inherent values. Wherever there is power, there are always values attached to it. Conversely, as shown in many cases, power fritters out when man ceases to place value on it. Power and values seem to be dialectically complementary [2]. Values cannot be effective without the force of power. Power without values often attracts resistance or indifference from the people. Power drives values and values uphold power.
The complementary dialectical relationship of power and values plays out almost in every facet of our existence. At the cosmic level, they are manifest as the gamut of things in the world exists because they can. What cannot exist definitely does not exist. Of course, what exists has value. That it can exist at all is a value of its own. But man has an anthropocentric view of reality. He measures all things in relation to himself. He is the ultimate valuator of reality. In the world, what man bequeaths value is of the value man says it is. Its importance depends on its value to man. Its power in the affairs of men depends on the value man has bequeathed it. Conversely, the value man bequeaths to things depends on the power and influence of those things in the affairs of men. This further highlights the unique relationship between power and value.

Read More