Math Is Fun Forum

Identity

Member

Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

Why is power such an addiction?

I was preparing a powerpoint presentation on George Orwell's 1984, when it occurred to me that I couldn't understand - let alone explain - why people were addicted to power! You see, 1984 is a book about a dystopian society ruled by a dictator (Big Brother), who gained power after a revolution against capitalism, and the particular quote I had to answer to was a quote by Winston Smith, the protagonist of the novel: "I understand HOW, I do not understand WHY."
Why power? Why do some people aim for something like that, and in the process, knowingly destroy the lives of millions of others and make the world a horrible place? Is this kind of power only for psychopaths?

George,Y

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Registered: 2006-03-12

Posts: 1,379

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

Just think of how you played with catched incests or bullyed cats and dogs when you were a kid.

Or think of school bullying. You'll discover a person in power has little sympathy, instead, he gains a lot from both the privillage of the power and the control and play of the preys.

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X'(y-Xβ)=0

George,Y

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Registered: 2006-03-12

Posts: 1,379

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

People in power is not only the master of themselves, but also the masters of others.

And once he has planted hatred by his brutal power, he is aware the best way of his life is to stay in power.

Also, a dictator can get almost anything in the world. Materially he gains.

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X'(y-Xβ)=0

U7109

Real Member

Registered: 2007-03-19

Posts: 485

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

You're right there. The more powerful you become, the more you can do. Megalomaniacs want power, just look at Napoleon and many others. Power means you can force people to do certain things, or even brainwash them.

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"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination," ~ John Lennon

Identity

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Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

Is it possible to describe a craving for power in terms of the fundamentals that we are familiar with?

Would I be right in saying:
A great number of revolutionaries went on to become dictators because during the revolution they got power through leadership, saw what it could bring them, and naturally wanted more. Soon, the dictators had so much power, that more would be meaningless, since they could already buy every luxury they desired, and yet they still yearned for more power because they were already addicted to it.

It's pretty confusing really, because in many cases power is sought not for luxuries, but merely for ... more power.
“The party seeks power entirely for it’s own sake. We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power. Not wealth or luxury or long life or happiness: only power, pure power.” - 1984

Last edited by Identity (2007-05-14 01:37:17)

George,Y

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Registered: 2006-03-12

Posts: 1,379

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

There are other alternative explanations for power addition:

A) power-> a sense of control-> a sense of security-> compensation for a lack of security during childhood
B) power-> social regonition and respect->compensation for being comtemplated before
C) power-> releaf from antagonism to other people, caused by childhood experience from punitive father
D) power-> sexual attractiveness
E) power-> the power to supress hectics-> feel good about one's ego
F) Seeking power is simply a male instinct-see animals.

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X'(y-Xβ)=0

George,Y

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Registered: 2006-03-12

Posts: 1,379

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

G) Narcissism-> leaders with a high self-esteem may think he is the center of the universe and without his "ingenius" management, the people he leads may fall into a mass. This is supported by philosopher Pope, that a person with a single value system may stick to "design" the society. And he suggested it is the utmost cause of totalitarism in the East in 20th century.

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X'(y-Xβ)=0

Identity

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Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

Wow that's pretty thorough George! I think I went well on the presentation but... metaphysics is so hard isn't it?

LQ

Real Member

Registered: 2006-12-04

Posts: 1,285

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

What's best anyway cause I have to know. Anarky or Dictatorship?

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I see clearly now, the universe have the black dots, Thus I am on my way of inventing this remedy...

Identity

Member

Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

They are pretty much as bad as each other, I think, but I would rather have anarchy because you are pretty much free, even though you might not have the Secret Police to take care of the community, lol!

LQ

Real Member

Registered: 2006-12-04

Posts: 1,285

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

We could have a secret indian police somewhere in the woods, that would take care of things! they could live of bunny rabbits...

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I see clearly now, the universe have the black dots, Thus I am on my way of inventing this remedy...

George,Y

Member

Registered: 2006-03-12

Posts: 1,379

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

I meant you can choose what you think is or are correct, Identity.

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X'(y-Xβ)=0

Jai Ganesh

Administrator

Registered: 2005-06-28

Posts: 48,385

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely! by ________________________
(Try to fill the blank)

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It appears to me that if one wants to make progress in mathematics, one should study the masters and not the pupils. - Niels Henrik Abel.

Nothing is better than reading and gaining more and more knowledge - Stephen William Hawking.

Identity

Member

Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

Re: Why is power such an addiction?

Lord Acton, I think