There are experts and then there is authority.
My physician is an expert. I try to heed his advice.
The police and the courts are authorities. When I was younger I disobeyed the civil authorities when it came to smoking marijuana. My own authority was superior in that case. In cases of rape, murder, armed robbery I have obeyed my own conscience. I do not want to be that type of human. I drive safely because I do not want to kill someone else or myself in a fiery crash.
In terms of seeking knowledge I choose experts in that field of knowledge. I read books on science written by scientists. I do not seek science knowledge from politicians, preachers, or sportscasters.
To answer the OP directly, since life is multifaceted I do not recognize any ultimate authority.
My physician is an expert. I try to heed his advice.
The police and the courts are authorities. When I was younger I disobeyed the civil authorities when it came to smoking marijuana. My own authority was superior in that case. In cases of rape, murder, armed robbery I have obeyed my own conscience. I do not want to be that type of human. I drive safely because I do not want to kill someone else or myself in a fiery crash.
In terms of seeking knowledge I choose experts in that field of knowledge. I read books on science written by scientists. I do not seek science knowledge from politicians, preachers, or sportscasters.
To answer the OP directly, since life is multifaceted I do not recognize any ultimate authority.
God thinks it's fun to confuse primates. Larsen's God!
