by Max Maxwell
All Rights Reserved.
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John: I guess not.
Socrates: Many of the decisions made in the home seem to require the same knowledge and skills as in the outside world.
John: Apparently.
Socrates: Didn't we say that the one in authority is the one who makes the decisions?
John: Yes.
Socrates: But in numerous home situations, it is possible for the wife to be the one who is better able to make a specific decision.
John: True.
Socrates: Isn't it even possible for the husband to be grossly unqualified to make a certain decision while the wife is an expert in that field?
John: Yes. That can happen.
Socrates: In such circumstances, should a grossly unqualified husband impose his will over his expert wife?
John: No, that does not make sense.
Socrates: Then we are back where we started. You said that the jurisdiction of a man's authority over his wife is in the home. But now it appears that this is not true. For, there are many decisions made in the home, which depend on skill and knowledge and not a person's gender.
John: It seems so.
Socrates: I must ask you again. What is the jurisdiction of a husband’s authority over his wife? Where does it function?
John: I am not sure how to answer you.
Socrates: Let's see if I can clarify it for you. If you were to ask me where the authority of a judge comes into play, I would say that the judge's authority pertains to legal matters in a courtroom. If you were to ask me on what subject does a biologist speak with authority, I would answer that the subject was biology. In the same way you told me the jurisdiction of the ship’s captain's and the surgeon's authority, tell me in what area of life a Christian husband has authority over his wife.
John: There are a lot of decisions that do not require special skills or knowledge. In these areas men have the authority to make the decisions. Also, there are issues that have no clear outcome. For example, if a child is in the hospital, and both the husband and wife know nothing about medical science, then the husband has the authority to decide on the child's medical care.
Socrates: But don’t the doctors actually decide medical treatment?
John: Yes. But if the child needs surgery and one doctor wants the surgery, but another doctor says it is too dangerous, the husband has the authority to make the decision.
Socrates: So, when there is a state of mutual ignorance and no one knows any better, at that time the husband has authority even when he knows nothing?
John: Yes.
Socrates: If the ship’s captain made all his decisions, not on the basis of knowledge and experience, but just by guessing, how do you think the ship will fare?
John: I suppose not too well.
Socrates: And if a surgeon knew nothing about performing operations, but decided everything by guessing, how long to you think he would remain a surgeon?
John: Not too long.
Socrates: Then I am thinking there must be something more to a husband’s authority to make decisions than his and other peoples' ignorance. What about an example where no skills or knowledge are needed?
John: Well, if they want to rent a video, the husband has final say over what the family will watch.
Socrates: That is fairly trivial decision.
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© Copyright 2006 Kenneth J. Maxwell Jr.