by Heath Cleaveland

Created on: June 16, 2009

Our language culture is filled with many pithy expressions or platitudes. They do not always correspond in meaning and occasionally they contradict each other. We say that knowledge is power. By this we mean that the more we know about our choices the more likely it will be that we make the best ones. On the other hand, we also say that power corrupts. By this we mean that those in power learn the thrill of wielding power and become less discriminating in its use. In Aristotelian fashion, we have the makings of a wonderful debate over the resulting syllogism. Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. If power and knowledge are the same thing, then they should both cause the same thing, i.e. corruption.

The middle term of the syllogism is power because both premises contain it. Do knowledge and power both have the same effect on people? That is the question that is raised by the syllogism; it is not meant to actually prove that knowledge does cause corruption. To really evaluate the idea, we would have to look at how the expressions are used.

We talk about knowledge giving us power for certain reasons. The more information we have at our disposal about any subject, the more likely we are to get what we want within that subject. If we know all that stats, have an opinion that corresponds to the stats, then we have a forceful argument for our position. What if the stats were developed by those with the same opinion as us? All involved may believe themselves impartial, but none can help but be satisfied when the stats correspond to their beliefs.

Knowledge is also power because it can help us use our skills, what we have learned, our knowledge, to earn money. In our society, variable access to resources colors the spectrum of achievement and personal satisfaction. The better you are in your field, the higher your wages. Here, knowledge is giving you power over your financial life.

When we talk about power corrupting, we frequently add that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Typically, we are talking about people in very high positions, heads of state, dictators, kings, queens, or elected officials. That such leaders often commit crimes against the law if not also against humanity is considered proof that power does corrupt.

Extending these ideas, leaders who are corrupted by their power have used their knowledge to get where they are. After all, they were children once. For them, knowledge is not equal to power as stated in the syllogism:

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