<p>Prompt: Is it important to question the ideas and decisions of people in positions of authority?</p>
<p>Questioning the ideas and decisions of people in authoritative positions is crucial in human society. Failure to do so may result in an inefficient society or in severe cases, the rise of an autocratic leader and the destruction of democracy. This questioning can be viewed as a form of constructive criticism, a method of keeping quixotic leaders in check and dragging them back down to earth. Every person in a position of power can go astray and it is our responsibility as a society to denounce them when they do so in order to maintain a functional civilization.
Several examples from current events, literary works and personal experience clearly demonstrate that the scrutiny of authoritative figures is beneficial. Animal Farm, by George Orwell, demonstrates this well. In this book the character Napoleon is allowed to rise to a position of boundless authority due to the other animals' lack of protest. Several of the other animals are killed as a result. This is one of many unfortunate consequences of failing to speak out against a leader with questionable goals.<br>
The rise and fall of former Libyan dictator, Gaddafi serves as an excellent example of how simply saying "enough is enough" can become a watershed in a nations history. Gaddafi was captured and killed by the Libyan people because they were fed up with his policies and long overdue step down from office. Libya is now on its way to democracy and the beginning of a bright new era in Libyan history.
Another example comes from my personal experience as a physics student. During physics class my teacher told us a light year is a measure of time, not distance. While my fellow classmates nodded in agreement, my natural inquisition did not let me accept this as fact. I looked it up as soon as i arrived home and to my delight, he was wrong.
After careful analysis of literary works like Animal Farm, current events like the fall of Gaddafi and personal experience, questioning people in positions of authority is indeed essential in our personal lives and in society as a whole.</p>