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View Poll Results: Does Power = Oppression
Yes (please explain) 2 18.18%
No (please explain) 9 81.82%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 08-06-2008, 04:28 AM   #1
piercehawkeye45
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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?
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Old 08-06-2008, 06:25 AM   #2
DanaC
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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.

Last edited by DanaC; 08-06-2008 at 06:37 AM.
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Old 08-06-2008, 08:11 AM   #3
skysidhe
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I feel like the sheep dog.

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Old 08-06-2008, 10:02 AM   #4
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No, although it creates the possibility, it's not equal.
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Old 08-06-2008, 10:09 AM   #5
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Power is potential, opportunity.
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Old 08-06-2008, 11:28 AM   #6
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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.
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Old 08-06-2008, 01:41 PM   #7
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Quote:
My boss has power over me, but he does not oppress me.
of course not, those sexual harrassment suits are painful.
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Old 08-06-2008, 01:46 PM   #8
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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?
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Old 08-06-2008, 06:48 PM   #9
Aliantha
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Just because an entity has power doesn't mean it oppresses anyone or anything.

Apparently God has power, but does he oppress?
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Old 08-06-2008, 07:00 PM   #10
Troubleshooter
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aliantha View Post
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.
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Old 08-06-2008, 07:33 PM   #11
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We would have to go into the definition of power and I'm too lazy. So I will just say no, not always.
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Old 08-06-2008, 09:05 PM   #12
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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.
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Old 08-07-2008, 12:31 AM   #13
ZenGum
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I cite 'lil Lookout as a counter-example.

But I also remember that the main ingredient in shepherd's pie is NOT tofu.
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Old 08-07-2008, 02:13 PM   #14
lookout123
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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.
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Old 08-07-2008, 02:15 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lookout123 View Post
I don't speak all fancy like smoothmoniker...
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.
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