Once upon a time, under the shadow of demands for King Petruk Surogendolo's portrait to be printed on the kingdom's currency, and after rumours about the anonymous Vavavivi as well as the introduction of a new party, the Brown Party, active during 2024 simultaneous regional elections in a world that wasn't just black and white, there lived two head lice on a head contained a brain that could be said to be quite clever. Let's call them Nifty and Nate. If you are a photographer, you will be familiar Nifty. A "nifty fifty" is a fixed 50mm lens with a wide maximum aperture. It's a prime lens, meaning you can't zoom, but it's capable of wide apertures like f/1.8, f/1.4, or f/1.2 to get bokeh.. For mirrorless systems, the 50mm lens is actually a 25mm lens because of the 2x crop factor Then, what about Nate? A Nate is a term for a person who is smart but acts dumb and always tries to make people laugh. But if the word "Nate" becomes "Nates", it means the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on. It is said that before being on the head that is now, Nate lived on an empty head. Life on the empty head was, well, quite an uneventful adventure. With nothing to navigate, Nate found the landscape stark and barren. There was no privacy or cover to plan his intention. And oh, the solitude! It was an expanse so lonely that even the occasional dandruff flake seemed like a long-lost friend. Nutrients were scarce, making each day a survival quest. "Ah, the good old empty days," Nate would muse, remembering the vast plains where he could see for miles but found nothing of interest.
Life on the empty head was, well, rather monotonous and uninspiring. Nate found himself on a head where there wasn't much happening upstairs. Conversations were dull, thoughts were scarce, and the lack of intellectual stimulation made it a dreary existence. The empty head offered little in the way of nutrients or excitement. "Ah, the days of drifting aimlessly," Nate would sigh, recalling the barren wasteland of that mindless cranium.
One day, in a rare twist of fate, two heads collided. The vibrant, bustling head of the quite full variety met the dreary emptiness of the vacant skull. In a moment of sheer opportunity, Nate leapt from the desert of boredom to the lush, dense jungle that was quite full head. It was at that moment that Nate's life changed to be a "jumping flea".
Life on the full brain was a dramatic upgrade, though not without its quirks. The thundercloud created its luscious locks as a labyrinthine paradise. Nate found an abundance of nooks and crannies to call his own. The local population of lice was diverse, and the daily gossip was enough to make any lice's mandibles tingle with excitement. Nutrients were plentiful, and the constant tugging and brushing were minor inconveniences compared to the vibrant society he had entered.
However, the head's bustling nature was sometimes confusing for Nate. Who knew there could be so many different types of shampoos and conditioners, each causing different reactions? But fortunately, he met Nifty, a long-time resident of the full head.
Nifty, with his vast experience and deep understanding of the treacherous terrain, became a mentor to Nate. He guided him through the ups and downs of life on the full head, sharing tales of survival against the dreaded anti-lice comb and the mysterious liquid storms known as "shower-time."
Nate's life had improved a little, but it was the companionship and mentorship of Nifty that made it truly worthwhile. Together, they navigated the highs and lows, making the most of their tiny, tumultuous world under the row of hair on the quite full head.
"Is 'power' beautiful?" Nate once asked Nifty.
"The beauty of power depends heavily on how it is defined, used, and perceived, ny friend" Nifty replied. "When power is used responsibly to serve, uplift, and protect others, it can indeed be seen as beautiful. A leader exercising power for justice, equity, and the betterment of their community reflects values that many find admirable and inspiring.
Sovereign authority, when rooted in wisdom, compassion, and fairness, can symbolize order and stability. However, unchecked or oppressive power can lead to tyranny, which is neither beautiful nor just.
Power is inherently neutral—it can be a tool for tremendous good or harm. Its beauty lies in the intentions and actions of the one wielding it. For instance, power that liberates, educates, and empowers others is often seen as noble, while power used for exploitation or domination is seen as corrupt or dangerous.
If the statement refers to the aesthetic dimension—admiring power's force, impact, or grandeur—it can indeed captivate human imagination. Yet, this aesthetic admiration must be tempered with ethical reflection.
Power becomes beautiful when it is seen as a means to uplift and benefit others. Responsible power emphasizes stewardship, service, and accountability. Nelson Mandela's leadership in South Africa is a profound example of responsible power. He wielded authority to unite a divided nation, promoting reconciliation and justice.
In The Republic by Plato, the philosopher-king is an ideal leader who governs not for personal gain but for the benefit of the populace. Power is a responsibility, and its beauty lies in the selflessness and wisdom of its use. Power is a central theme in Plato's The Republic, where it is explored in the context of governance, morality, and justice. Plato examines power through the lens of leadership, authority, and the ethical responsibilities that come with ruling.
Plato argues that power should be wielded by those with the greatest knowledge and wisdom, whom he calls philosopher-kings. These rulers, guided by reason and the pursuit of the "Good," are the most qualified to govern.
Plato states, “Until philosophers rule as kings or those who are now called kings and leading men genuinely and adequately philosophize... cities will have no rest from evils.”
This highlights Plato’s belief that true power lies in the ability to discern what is just and good, rather than pursuing personal or factional interests.
The philosopher-king exercises power not for personal gain but for the well-being of the entire society. For Plato, power becomes beautiful when it is aligned with the pursuit of justice and the higher ideals of truth and goodness.
Power, in Plato's view, is legitimate and effective only when wielded by those who understand and embody the principles of justice and the good. A key question in The Republic is: What is justice, and how does it relate to power? Plato concluded that justice involves each individual and class performing their proper role in society. Plato envisions a harmonious society with three classes: Rulers (wisdom): The philosopher-kings who govern; Auxiliaries (courage): The warriors who enforce the rulers' decisions and protect the state; and Producers (moderation): The farmers, artisans, and workers who provide for the material needs of society. Power in this structure is distributed hierarchically, but each class has a specific role that contributes to the greater good.
Plato defines justice as a state of harmony where every individual and class fulfils their designated role without interfering in the duties of others. Misuse of power arises when roles are blurred, leading to chaos. For Plato, power is just and beautiful when it ensures harmony and serves the collective good, rather than individual ambition or greed.
Plato’s famous Allegory of the Cave explores the transformative power of knowledge and enlightenment. Plato describes prisoners in a cave who mistake shadows for reality. When one prisoner escapes and sees the world outside, he gains true knowledge. Upon returning to the cave, he faces resistance because the other prisoners are unwilling to accept his newfound understanding.
The enlightened individual symbolizes the philosopher who has attained true knowledge (the Form of the Good). Returning to the cave represents the philosopher’s duty to guide and rule, even when met with hostility.
True power is not in coercion or domination but in the ability to enlighten others and lead them toward the truth. The philosopher-king must guide society toward knowledge and justice, even if it requires sacrifice. Power, in its highest form, is the ability to illuminate the truth and lead others toward a just and virtuous life. Plato warns about the misuse of power and the degeneration of states when rulers prioritize personal gain over justice. He outlines five types of government and how they degenerate: Aristocracy (rule of the wise): The ideal state where power is based on wisdom; Timocracy (rule of honour): A state where rulers value honour but lack wisdom; Oligarchy (rule of the wealthy): Power is concentrated among the rich, leading to inequality; Democracy (rule of the many): Excessive freedom leads to chaos and mob rule; Tyranny (rule of the one): The worst form of government, where power is wielded for selfish and oppressive ends.
Plato highlights how power can become corrupt when rulers abandon wisdom and justice in favour of personal ambition or material wealth. Tyranny, for example, is driven by unchecked desires and leads to oppression. Plato recognizes the potential dangers of power when it is divorced from wisdom and justice, leading to the decline of states and societies. Plato’s concept of the "Form of the Good" serves as the ultimate source of legitimate power. All authority and decisions should align with this transcendent ideal. He compares the Good to the sun, which illuminates and gives life. Just as the sun makes vision possible, the Good makes knowledge and justice possible. Rulers must strive to understand the Good to exercise power rightly. The Good transcends material and selfish interests, providing an objective standard for justice.
Power is only truly beautiful and legitimate when it is guided by the Form of the Good, ensuring that it serves truth, justice, and the greater good. Plato’s vision of power in The Republic emphasizes that power is not inherently good or bad—it depends on who wields it and for what purpose. True power is rooted in wisdom, justice, and the pursuit of the Good. It is most beautiful when it creates harmony, serves the collective welfare, and enlightens society. However, power is also precarious and prone to corruption when divorced from virtue and wisdom.
From an Islamic perspective, the Prophet ﷺ said, "Sayyidul qawmi khādimuhum” (The leader of a people is their servant) highlighting that true power serves others. This narration is sometimes referenced in works such as Sunan Abi Dawood (2858). However, its chain of transmission and authenticity have been critically assessed (da'if or weak due to issues in its chain of narrators). While the exact wording of this hadith is weak, its general meaning is supported by other authentic narrations emphasizing the humility and service-oriented nature of leadership in Islam. For example "A ruler is a shepherd and is accountable for his flock…” (Sahih Muslim, 1829). This hadith underscores that leadership is a form of servitude and responsibility toward those under one’s care.
Sovereign power, when exercised with justice and fairness, brings order and stability, which can be seen as beautiful. However, its misuse can distort this beauty. The rule of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, radhiyallahu anhu, the second Caliph of Islam, is celebrated for its justice and equity. His governance combined authority with accountability, creating an era of prosperity and fairness.
John Locke, in his Two Treatises of Government (1690, originally published by Awnsham Churchill) and A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689, also published by Awnsham Churchill), emphasizes that sovereign authority is legitimate only when it aligns with natural law and protects the natural rights of individuals—life, liberty, and property. He also argues that a just and legitimate government respects human dignity and freedom, making it morally and philosophically "beautiful."
In his seminal work, Two Treatises of Government, Locke lays the foundation for a legitimate government by grounding it in natural rights. He posits that individuals are born with inherent rights, which sovereign authority must safeguard. He describes the "state of nature" as a condition where individuals are free, equal, and governed by natural law. This law mandates that no one should harm another's life, liberty, or possessions. “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind... that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.”
Sovereign authority arises when individuals collectively agree to form a government to escape the insecurities of the state of nature. The legitimacy of this authority depends on its adherence to the purpose of governance: the protection of natural rights.
For Locke, property is an extension of life and liberty because individuals invest their labour into resources. Thus, the protection of property is a core duty of a just government. “The great and chief end... of men uniting into commonwealths, and putting themselves under government, is the preservation of their property.”
Sovereignty is not absolute. If a government violates the natural rights it is meant to protect, it loses its legitimacy and may be justly overthrown. “Whenever the legislators endeavour to take away, and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people.”
A sovereign authority aligned with the protection of natural rights embodies justice, reflecting human dignity and rationality. Its "beauty" lies in its moral harmony with human freedom and equality. Locke portrays sovereign authority as "beautiful" when it respects the inner freedom of individuals, aligns with moral reason, and avoids coercion in matters of belief. Sovereign power is legitimate only when it serves to preserve life, liberty, and property. A government that oppresses or denies these rights is inherently unjust and illegitimate. Locke’s sovereign authority harmonizes with the natural law, making it both just and aesthetically pleasing in a moral sense. It reflects the balance between power and liberty, duty and freedom, reason and morality."
