I sometimes pick up criticism for my belief in positive influence. Somewhere in my world as a teacher is line between heartfelt benevolence and the accusation t

I sometimes pick up criticism for my belief in positive influence. Somewhere in my world as a teacher is line between heartfelt benevolence and the accusation that all is manipulation and only serves the extant ruling classes. Somewhere in the middle is a truth. My theory is that in the West we've forgotten the real meaning of authority, with the same root as author/writer/architect. We've confused it with entitled power. Anyway, thanks indeed for a thoughtful explanation. I'll avoid my immediate instinct to connect it to Plato or other structural ideas I've been educated (brainwashed) with :), and give it some serious thought.