Power-in- use: Secular and Sacred Aspects

Abstract

This article offers a brief historical analysis of power-in-use by both secular and sacred institutions. With examples the author shows that while both sacred religion and secular science have tried to correct each other's shortcomings, the virus of separative egoism has afflicted them both. While the sacred implies reduction of egoism as an indispensable precondition, yet this is frequently forgotten. So abuse of power often accompanies the sacred as well. This unfortunate tendency is a problem that needs attention.