Essay On The Influence Of Authority In Matters Of Opinion (1849)

""An Essay On The Influence Of Authority In Matters Of Opinion"" is a book written by George Cornewall Lewis in 1849. The book discusses the concept of authority and its influence on people's opinions. Lewis argues that people tend to rely on authority figures or established institutions to form their opinions, rather than thinking critically and independently. He explores the reasons behind this tendency, including the fear of being ostracized or ridiculed for holding unpopular opinions, as well as the desire for social conformity. Lewis also examines the consequences of blindly following authority, including the suppression of dissenting voices and the perpetuation of false beliefs. He ultimately advocates for the importance of independent thinking and the need to challenge established authority in order to arrive at more accurate and nuanced understandings of the world. The book is a thought-provoking exploration of the role of authority in shaping individual and collective opinions, and remains relevant today in discussions about critical thinking and intellectual independence.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.