Power = Oppression
 

Very simple question. Very simple analogy.

You are either the wolf or the sheep. To be the wolf, you have to eat the sheep. To be the sheep, you have to be eaten by the wolf. The Shepard is only the most clever wolf in disguise.

Agreements? Disagreements? Anyone wishing to expand?

I would say Power = the potential for oppression.



[eta] the only character in this scenario who exercises power is the shepherd. Wolves do not oppress sheep, they kill them. Both animals are acting on instinct and without the capacity for empathy, as we might understand it. For the sheep, the wolf is simply a situation to be responded to, a danger to survive, or not. To the wolf, the sheep is simply a recognised prey, to which he responds according to his nature. Power presupposes that the one exercising has the capacity for agency.

I feel like the sheep dog.

http://www.thefunnyweb.net/161/47.jpg

No, although it creates the possibility, it's not equal.

Power is potential, opportunity.

The question is what do you consider "oppression?" If your definition of oppression is simply that someone else has any amount of power over you... well then yes, power = oppression would be a tautology for you. To me oppression means a certain amount of suffering. I have power over my children, but I do not oppress them. My boss has power over me, but he does not oppress me.

of course not, those sexual harrassment suits are painful.

Dennis: Come and see the violence inherent in the system. Help! Help! I'm being repressed!
King Arthur: Bloody peasant!
Dennis: Oh, what a giveaway! Did you hear that? Did you hear that, eh? That's what I'm on about! Did you see him repressing me? You saw him, Didn't you?

Just because an entity has power doesn't mean it oppresses anyone or anything.

Apparently God has power, but does he oppress?

I don't know about God, but some of his alleged adherents did a mighty fine job of it.

We would have to go into the definition of power and I'm too lazy. So I will just say no, not always.

Power is the ability to make real an intended result.

It is only oppressive if the actions undertaken to make that result real infringe on the rights of others against their will.

I cite 'lil Lookout as a counter-example.

But I also remember that the main ingredient in shepherd's pie is NOT tofu.

I don't speak all fancy like smoothmoniker but i think we have the same idea. I liked the part in Schindler's List where Schindler tells the camp commander that real power comes from having the ability to do something but choosing not to do so. That seems like the opposite of oppression to me.

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.