They said that the best way to know a person is to give him “power” or put him on a “higher position.” Why? It is because power serves as a secret tool that slowly reveals the being of the person or the individual. Power can be either good or bad. If power is used in a good way, surely, the product if it is also good. But if it is used in bad way, surely, evil will rule. Power is actually meant to do what is good. In fact, you will not be given the power if you don’t propose first your good intention of having it, or power will not be given to you if others don’t see you as a good person having good traits in life. But the sad reality is, a person is dynamic, not static. We change in some course of time, given the chance and opportunities that will surely answer our needs and will fulfill our dreams.
Let’s take the example of our government- the Politicians. To be honest, we voted them (our government leaders now) because we thought all the while that they are really true about their propagandas that they are presenting or promising to us. We thought that when they won in the election, our lives will be less difficult because they will serve as our answers in all problems that we have in our society. But then again, a person is dynamic, not static. We can never hold their intentions. It is their own will and choice if they will really fulfill their promises or will forego them. That is our natural tendency as humans. We can say that it is easy to rule if we have the power, but what happens usually is that, it is difficult to rule our “self” if we have already the power. Power or possessions can easily change us. Sometimes we can’t see anymore our true self because it is veiled by our own abuses of power.
This might be also the reason why Thomas Hobbes was able to come up with his very own, the Social Contract Theory. This theory of him speaks that we must be “fair” always. This theory was made so that we can control the sleeping monster within us (Greed- the LEVIATHAN). That we should be concerned about others, the way we are concerned about ourselves. Thus, we shouldn’t think of overpowering them or to take advantage their weaknesses. The Social Contract Theory is made so that we can develop good kind of leadership, a leadership that is always concerned about the common good of all. It is also meant to erase the idea of, “Dapat damo ang akon sa imo, dapat may ginansyahon gid ko, dapat mas taas ako sa imo.” If Social Contrast is being followed, it can promote good kind of relationship or partnership, because it will delete the idea of rivalry to one another. For both can benefit and it is always fair. For example in sports, “kun pirme ka lang daog, wala na sang may gusto pa nga mag kontra sa imo, kay ma man-an nila nga it will be useless nga magkontra pa sila sa imo kung at the end of the game, they will surely be defeated.” I’m not saying that winning is bad, but what I’m trying to say is that losing sometimes is also necessary. We also give space to others so that they will also be motivated and can have the chance to prove themselves.
That’s why here in the seminary Fr. Marvin would always give us, seminarians, a treat after examinations (he will usually buy us ice cream or cake), so as to serve as our consolation after being pressured by them (Priest-Formators) to study hard in all of our subjects. This is to, somehow, motivate us to always study well in all our subjects so that we can achieve high grades and also for us to avoid cheating. For me, this is one good example of Social Contract Theory, when our Priest-Formators would sometimes spend something just to motivate us in our formation. If we just follow the rules and regulations of the seminary and we will be safe, because if we will perform well in our formation, it is not only us who will benefit from it, but it is also our Priest-Formators. So, Social Contract Theory is just like a give and take relationship wherein nobody loses, but only improving and gaining, because we became good partners (with our Priest-Formators) and not rivals. Thus, we can establish a good relationship which is very good foundation in making our formation a fruitful one.
Let’s take the example of our government- the Politicians. To be honest, we voted them (our government leaders now) because we thought all the while that they are really true about their propagandas that they are presenting or promising to us. We thought that when they won in the election, our lives will be less difficult because they will serve as our answers in all problems that we have in our society. But then again, a person is dynamic, not static. We can never hold their intentions. It is their own will and choice if they will really fulfill their promises or will forego them. That is our natural tendency as humans. We can say that it is easy to rule if we have the power, but what happens usually is that, it is difficult to rule our “self” if we have already the power. Power or possessions can easily change us. Sometimes we can’t see anymore our true self because it is veiled by our own abuses of power.
This might be also the reason why Thomas Hobbes was able to come up with his very own, the Social Contract Theory. This theory of him speaks that we must be “fair” always. This theory was made so that we can control the sleeping monster within us (Greed- the LEVIATHAN). That we should be concerned about others, the way we are concerned about ourselves. Thus, we shouldn’t think of overpowering them or to take advantage their weaknesses. The Social Contract Theory is made so that we can develop good kind of leadership, a leadership that is always concerned about the common good of all. It is also meant to erase the idea of, “Dapat damo ang akon sa imo, dapat may ginansyahon gid ko, dapat mas taas ako sa imo.” If Social Contrast is being followed, it can promote good kind of relationship or partnership, because it will delete the idea of rivalry to one another. For both can benefit and it is always fair. For example in sports, “kun pirme ka lang daog, wala na sang may gusto pa nga mag kontra sa imo, kay ma man-an nila nga it will be useless nga magkontra pa sila sa imo kung at the end of the game, they will surely be defeated.” I’m not saying that winning is bad, but what I’m trying to say is that losing sometimes is also necessary. We also give space to others so that they will also be motivated and can have the chance to prove themselves.
That’s why here in the seminary Fr. Marvin would always give us, seminarians, a treat after examinations (he will usually buy us ice cream or cake), so as to serve as our consolation after being pressured by them (Priest-Formators) to study hard in all of our subjects. This is to, somehow, motivate us to always study well in all our subjects so that we can achieve high grades and also for us to avoid cheating. For me, this is one good example of Social Contract Theory, when our Priest-Formators would sometimes spend something just to motivate us in our formation. If we just follow the rules and regulations of the seminary and we will be safe, because if we will perform well in our formation, it is not only us who will benefit from it, but it is also our Priest-Formators. So, Social Contract Theory is just like a give and take relationship wherein nobody loses, but only improving and gaining, because we became good partners (with our Priest-Formators) and not rivals. Thus, we can establish a good relationship which is very good foundation in making our formation a fruitful one.
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