The Language and Etymology Chronicles - Authority

Authentic Authority and Its RootsIn this episode I discussed the etymology of the word "authority," and how its Latin root "auctoritas" means "to grow" or "to increase," originally referring to someone who helps and creates rather than controls. Based on its original meaning, authority should come from wisdom and earned credibility, not from power or fear, and when power is demanded instead of earned, the word "authority" remains but the soul of its true meaning is lost.