Wednesday, January 16, 2002

Power and the right to wield it

Two sides of the same coin, when it comes to the question of wielding
power:
1. Can you do it?
2. Should you do it?

While they are not mutually exclusive, they're not always inclusive
either. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.
Just because you should do something doesn't mean you can.

One is a question of ability.

Can you do it? Are you physically capable of performing a feat? Are
you able to perform that action without fear of reprisal?

The other is a question of judgement and morality.

If you perform said action, what is likely to happen? Is it morally
and ethically right to do it?

In the end, just because you can do something, doesn't mean you
should.

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