Concept
Charismatic authority
Overview
In the field of sociology, charismatic authority is a concept of organizational leadership wherein the authority of the leader derives from the personal charisma of the leader. In the tripartite classification of authority, the sociologist Max Weber contrasts charismatic authority (character, heroism, leadership, religious) against two other types of authority: (i) rational-legal authority (modern law, the sovereign state, bureaucracy) and (ii) traditional authority (patriarchy, patrimonialism, feudalism).
The Ancient Greek word charisma became known through the Pauline epistles to Christian communities in the first century of the Common Era, wherein the word charisma denoted and described a gift of divine origin that demonstrated the divine authority possessed by the early leaders of the Church. Weber developed the theological term and the concept of charisma into a secular term for the sociological study of organizations. Terms derived from charisma include charismatic domination and charismatic leadership.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
There is an intricate expressed symbolism of language and of act, which is spread throughout the community, and which evokes fluctuating apprehension of the basis of common purposes. The particular direction of individual action is directly correlated to the particular sharply defined symbols presented to him at the moment. The response of action to symbol may be so direct as to cut out any effective reference to…
Alfred North Whitehead, Symbolism, its meaning and effect
States what Charismatic authority is.
In the first sense the labour bestowed on the Earth, is called Culture; and the education of Children a Culture of their mindes. In the second sense, where mens wills are to be wrought to our purpose, not by Force, but by Compleasance, it signifieth as much as Courting, that is, a winning of favour by good offices; as by praises, by acknowledging their Power, and by whatsoever is pleasing to them from whom we look…
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan
States what Charismatic authority is.
Hence the notion of fundamental laws; which are supposed to be inalterable by the will of the sovereign: And of this nature the Salic law is understood to be in France. How far these fundamental laws extend is not determined in any government; nor is it possible it ever should.
David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature
States what Charismatic authority is.
Philosophers who discussed Charismatic authority
Related ideas
- Belief
- Ritual
- Vladimir Lenin
- Hero
- Joseph Stalin
- Authority
- Benito Mussolini
- Max Weber
- New religious movement
- Authoritarianism
- Robert K. Merton
- Psychoanalysis
- Religion
- Reincarnation
- Adolf Hitler
- Charisma
- Theocracy
- Value theory
- The Buddha
- Revolutionary
- Australia
- Pauline epistles
- Autocracy
- God
Opposing perspectives
Place in the tradition
Part of Political philosophy.