A while ago I noticed that the root of authority is “author.” We often think of authority in terms of power and influence. A principal has authority over her teachers, a manager over his staff and a lion over his lair. But what about when we refer to someone as an authority on a particular subject? Authority in this sense indicates that the person possesses unrivaled knowledge of a particular field.

But there’s more to being an authority than knowing a lot about something. People who have this kind of authority have a particular kind of knowledge. Their ideas, though shaped by others, are not an amalgamation of others’ ideas. These people are the author of their own ideas by virtue of spending a great deal of time interacting with a subject. They want to know it for themselves and are dissatisfied with others telling them about it.

And here’s the kicker: The job of an authority is never done. He continues to interact and explore his subject’s farthest reaches. An authority is not primarily interested in defending his knowledge. He is not fearful of confusion and counter-evidence. Quite the contrary, he views these as gifts along the way to a deeper understanding.

Extensive knowledge does not make one an authority—not if he prefers being right to knowing what is true. Such a person’s knowledge is not personal. It is not part of him. Knowledge in this sense is utilitarian. It has purchasing power. More knowledge translates into power, influence, and prestige.

Becoming an authority is hard work, especially when it pertains to life. But it is a worthy project to adopt. We need to ask hard questions and enter into confusion and investigate evidences that appear to contradict what we believe to be true. We grow by facing into life honestly, equipped with a battery of questions. It is by this appetite for truth, persistent inspection, and willingness to get it all wrong that we grow, gain understanding, and become an Author-ity. As the author we can then offer our own ideas, instead of handing out repackaged ideas that do not belong to us.