Editing Superior (hierarchy)

{{Short description|Position at a higher level in the hierarchy}}
 {{Expand language |langcode=pl |otherarticle=Przełożony|date=August 2021}}
In a [[hierarchy]] or [[tree structure]] of any kind, a '''superior''' is an individual or position at a higher level in the hierarchy than another (a "subordinate" or "inferior"), and thus closer to the [[Apex (geometry)|apex]]. 

== General ==

A superior generally has the power to approve or deny requests from subordinates, within the scope of the relevant organization. The superior may control the careers of subordinates; for instance, they may have the authority to give raises or promotions.<ref name="thompson">{{cite journal |last1=Thompson |first1=Victor A. |title=Hierarchy, Specialization, and Organizational Conflict |journal=Administrative Science Quarterly |date=1961 |volume=5 |issue=4 |pages=485–521 |doi=10.2307/2390618 |jstor=2390618 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2390618 |access-date=1 February 2024 |issn=0001-8392|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Superiors are given sometimes supreme authority over others under their command. When an order is given, one must follow that order and obey it or punishment may be issued.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

==By organization==
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Superiors in different organizations may have different titles, roles, and responsibilities.

===Business===

In [[business]], superiors are people who are [[supervisor]]s.

===Military===

In the [[military]], superiors are people who are higher in the [[chain of command]] ([[superior officer]]). 

===Catholic Church===
{{further|Hierarchy of the Catholic Church}}
A {{vanchor|religious superior}} is the person to whom a [[cleric]] is immediately responsible under [[canon law]]. For [[monk]]s, it would be the [[abbot]] (or the [[abbess]] for [[nun]]s); for [[friar]]s, it would be the [[Prior (ecclesiastical)|prior]], or, for [[Franciscans]], the guardian (''[[custos (Franciscans)|custos]]''), for [[Minim (religious order)|Minims]], the [[corrector]]; for [[Diocese|diocesan]] priests, it would be the local [[bishop]]. In religious orders with a hierarchy above the local community, there will also be [[superiors general]] and possibly [[provincial superior]]s above the local abbot, prior, or [[abbess|mother superior]]. The priest in charge a [[mission sui iuris|mission ''sui iuris'']] is called an [[ecclesiastical superior]].

==See also==
{{wiktionary|Superior}}
* [[Seniority]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Catholic consecrated life}}
{{Catholic Church footer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Superior (Hierarchy)}}
[[Category:Hierarchy]]
[[Category:Catholic ecclesiastical titles]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]