As humans, we spend a lot of time being governed by authority figures. We listen to what they say and do because they are the ones in charge, but ultimately it is up to us to make our decisions.
In a society where people question authority, people who stand up for what they believe and people who question authority are rewarded. People who follow authorities are less likely to make wise decisions based on their experience and what they know.
When there is doubt or uncertainty surrounding a specific decision, there is more room for error. If you look at highly controversial issues such as climate change or vaccines, you will find that people tend to remain divided when there is not an overwhelming amount of evidence one way or the other.
This makes it harder for individuals to come to a decision on their own, as others have differing views on the issue and/or evidence comes more heavily into play.
People who question authority are healthier
a growing body of research suggests that people who question authority are more well-off than those who do not.
This growing body of research has a variety of consequences for society as a whole.
One of them is enhanced well-being in the broadest sense.
In addition to being more healthy, people who question authority are also happier.
There is a reason for this: When people are unsure about what happens and who rules their world, they tend to follow the path that feels the most safe. This includes obeying authorities, even if those authorities do not make good decisions or take good care of them. By turning to questions and discussions among friends and family members, people reduce the risk that they will follow the orders of someone higher up the food chain.
People who question authority are more curious
When people who don’t have an authority figure to question are more in the society, it enhances the well-being of that society.
When people who don’t have an authority figure to question are more curious about things and questions they receive, it enhances the quality of questions they receive.
This is because when people who don’t have an authority figure to question receive questions more often, it builds a foundation for self-worth and confidence. It makes them feel comfortable seeking answers from different sources and times, which leads to more curiosity.
It also makes people feel like they can ask anything and get an answer quickly, which can lead to faster thinking and acting.
Questioning authority makes society more democratic
One of the greatest gifts we have from our history is the understanding that we are not a perfect society, and that there are things that don’t always work.
This gift has given us a sense of hope for the future, and helped create a well-being of independent thought and self-expression.
Now, in an era where people are questioning everything, this gift can be dangerous.
When people question authority, they can find alternative solutions to problems and issues. When people do not believe in authorities or when people don’t trust authorities, there is more room for freedom of thought and expression.
This is one of the reasons why societies with strong leaders or governments tend to be ill-conditioned for health right now. People need to question their sources of information and take time to understand their full implications.
Questioning authority promotes self-reflection
Self-reflection is a well-spring of well-being. We are happier when we evaluate our actions and how they affected us.
Our society has a hard time talking to its citizens about their questions and assumptions, which is ironic since we are the ones with the power to answer them.
We need to recognize that our authority figures can be held accountable for our actions and words. If you see someone in an authoritative position acting irrationally or lying, you can take action.
You can raise your voice in order to get your questions answered. You can write your local government seeking answers to issues that affect you. You can meet with experts to find answers.
All of these things promote self-reflection on the part of the person asking the question and on behalf of the entire population that matters (you).
Society benefits from the insights of the questioner
A society that finds it difficult to question authority is an unstable one. People who question their leaders, authorities, and other citizens need to be supported in this process.
This can be done by creating safe places for discussion, such as churches or community centers. Or it can be by creating places where people can receive answers to questions without necessarily assuming the source of the questioner is right.
By not having people question authority, people lose a sense of self-efficacy and develop a dependency on systems and authorities for answers. This can lead people to accept things blindly, which is not healthy.
The well-being of a society is enhanced when many of its people question authority. The more individuals have the confidence in themselves to ask questions and take action to resolve issues, the better equipped they are to do this.
The world is constantly changing
Our world is a dangerous one in which people find themselves. This is an enhanced society where people question authority, so do some things to feel better.
This is an enhanced society where people question authority.
The world is a dangerous place where people find themselves. This is a very good thing, however, as we all need to feel and believe that the world is a good place to live in and out of. This belief makes it easier for people to follow what others are doing and accept what they are being told as truth.
We all have our own truth, and that includes our leaders and individuals who have been through what I have been through. This doesn’t mean that they don’t have their own truth, but it’s important that we listen to others before ourselves to determine if this truth is the right one for us.
Authority often rests on power rather than knowledge
We are a society ruled by authority. We are told what to do, how to live, and who to associate with. Our society is built on the foundation of a powerful authority.
We have been socialized into believing that the people in your life impact your well-being in significant ways. You trust them to take good care of you and make you feel good about yourself.
But does really know what they’re doing? Do they actually know what they’re talking about when they tell you this stuff is good for you? Are they really taking their time and effort to make sure this is true?
These are questions that society should be asking of everything it puts out there as an authority figure. And the more questions he or she can answer with proof, the better off we will be.
Questioning challenges the status quo
We live in a society that values obedience to authority, and people who question authority are seen as bad people.
We are told to be suspicious of everyone and everything, and to trust only in those who follow the rules and instructions. This is part of the status quo that people want to stay in.
But this kind of questioning destroys lives and societies, as we read about in history books and hear stories from survivors. We are seeing it more often now than ever before, as people turn away from authorities when they do not find what they believe in them trustworthy.
As authorities begin to question their own beliefs, people start to listen again. They discover new knowledge that contradicts their previous understanding of a situation or topic. As they gain new knowledge, others can also change their opinion until they find something else that proves their point.
