Final answer:
An authoritative command is an order issued by someone with recognized power or authority, compelling a specific action or service. This power is accepted and followed when viewed as legitimate, and authority figures' directives are generally considered reasonable and beneficial. Authority is structured hierarchically and is legitimate only within its specific context.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of an Authoritative Command
An authoritative command is a directive issued by an individual or body with authority, which compels those under its jurisdiction to act or respond in a certain way. Authority is the recognized power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. Early leaders established authority through various means such as religion, tradition, or military conquest over predecessors.
Authority in Practice
Authority is often accepted because it is associated with power that people agree to follow, recognizing that certain individuals or institutions are worthy of respect and their orders are seen as reasonable and beneficial. For example, citizens normally comply with a police officer's signals during traffic stops because the officer is viewed as a legitimate source of authority. Conversely, authority is also limited and contextual; it does not extend to requests or commands beyond its reasonable scope.
Divine Command
Historically, some commands have been purported to originate from a higher power or deity. In these cases, subjects might perceive the commands as innately moral. However, ethical questions arise when such divine commands conflict with societal norms or personal morality, particularly in extreme scenarios such as hypothetical directives to perform morally contentious actions.
In every case, the hierarchy of authority plays a crucial role in determining how commands are disseminated and followed, often illustrating a structured chain of command within organizations or societies. This helps maintain order and accountability upward through the ranks, from junior employees to CEOs or from citizens to government officials.