The hottest Authority Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

An Introduction to the Problem of Authority

Fake Noûs • 289 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Political theory Libertarianism Authority Social contract Democracy
  1. Political authority means the government has power over people, but there isn't a solid reason why they should have that power. We question if anyone should truly rule over others.
  2. Common ideas, like the social contract or democracy, are often debated and criticized. Many believe that just because a majority votes for something, it doesn't make it right, especially if it harms a minority.
  3. The recognition of personal rights and the belief that the government shouldn't have special rules for itself leads many to a more libertarian view, promoting the idea that individuals should be free from unjust coercion.

Accountability and Authority

In My Tribe • 683 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💼 Business Management Bureaucracy Leadership Accountability Authority
  1. Clear job descriptions should state the authority and the accountability of a role. This helps everyone know who is responsible for what.
  2. Bureaucracy tends to make it hard to point fingers when something goes wrong. In businesses, leaders try to keep accountability clear, unlike in government.
  3. When people have less authority in their jobs, it's harder to hold them accountable for results. Finding the right balance is crucial for effectiveness.

Sobering morning thoughts

Disaffected Newsletter • 1638 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Society Philosophy Identity Behavior Authority
  1. Many people feel unhappy with how society just goes along with everything rather than questioning it. This can be really scary.
  2. There's a lot of frustration towards people who don't stand up against unfair authority. This lack of resistance leads to feelings of despair.
  3. The writer feels that many people, especially men, are too passive and afraid to challenge societal expectations. This makes them disappointed and angry.

Diversity Inclusion Equity as bureaucratic pathology

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 943 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Diversity Bureaucracy Authority
  1. Bureaucracy can be both useful and pathological, making it tricky to assess and deploy.
  2. Bureaucracy focuses on tasks rather than outcomes, leading to inefficiencies.
  3. Diversity-Inclusion-Equity (DIE) programs in bureaucracies can lead to spending on bureaucracy, hoarding authority, and protecting against competence complexities.

Authority

afternoon walk • 79 implied HN points • 06 May 24
🌍 World Politics Authority Government Constitution Legitimacy Rights
  1. States come to realize the limits of using force to maintain authority, eventually evolving to justify power through legitimacy and new bases such as crime prevention, food production, and dispute resolution.
  2. Theories of taming power in parliamentary systems involve internal coherence and control, with power flowing from the people to Parliament and the government being tamed by obeying Parliament's commands.
  3. India's adoption of a constitution in 1950 aimed to divide authority, secure rights, but struggles to fully embody these principles, resulting in a system that is centralized, disorganized, and sometimes brutal.
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Bring Me Your Leader

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 364 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Authority Authoritarianism Power Dynamics Human Interaction
  1. In our modern world, there is a trend of continuous judging and assessing everything we interact with.
  2. Having difficult conversations directly with individuals can be more effective than immediately seeking higher authorities.
  3. The desire for a 'real leader' can create anxiety in various aspects of life, including politics and daily interactions.

Fascism begins in the home, yes it does

Disaffected Newsletter • 599 implied HN points • 03 Sep 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Behavior Authority Child abuse Public Discourse Mental health
  1. Fascism can start in the home, especially when family dynamics include abuse and manipulation. What happens in a household can affect wider society.
  2. Certain harmful behaviors, like narcissism and emotional abuse, are found in both families and political leaders. They can shape how people act in public roles.
  3. When a leader attacks large groups of citizens and labels them negatively, it often shows authoritarian tendencies. This kind of behavior echoes the treatment found in abusive family situations.

Upheaval Interview: Matthew B. Crawford

The Upheaval • 617 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Reality Self-governance Authority Ethics Technocracy
  1. The work of Matthew B. Crawford focuses on understanding the world and suggesting concrete ways to live in it.
  2. Crawford's book 'The World Beyond Your Head' delves into themes like attention, distraction, tradition, and reclaiming the real
  3. Crawford's analysis highlights a shift towards an inward-focused liberal self, leading to conflict aversion, reliance on experts, and potential risks to self-governance and democracy

Don't be a Knucklehead

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authority Leadership Military
  1. Changing the culture of an organization takes time and persistence. Observing live examples that either support or undermine the target culture is important.
  2. Authority in an organization can easily become unhealthy. It should be used for valid and necessary objectives, not personal preferences or whims.
  3. Military authority is a high-risk activity. Careful selection of leaders based on character is crucial, and continual training on exercising authority responsibly is essential.

The State

Fake Noûs • 342 implied HN points • 20 May 23
📖 Philosophy Authority Utilitarianism Fairness Social contract Anarchism
  1. The problem of authority in political philosophy questions the basis for political legitimacy and obligation.
  2. The Utilitarian Account suggests the state's authority comes from providing social order, but doesn't explain unnecessary laws.
  3. Anarchism challenges the notion of state authority, advocating for minimal coercive activities and privatization of necessary government functions.

"One Fine Son of a Bitch"

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership Military Conflict Authority
  1. Gen. George Patton had a knack for intuitive leadership, known as 'coup d’oeil,' allowing him to swiftly assess situations and make decisions.
  2. Patton, despite his rough exterior, showed humility and openness to learning from his mistakes, which endeared him to his soldiers and fostered loyalty.
  3. Patton valued competence over personal relationships, surrounding himself with individuals who could perform well, even if they disagreed with him.

Is Retribution Illegitimate?

Gideon's Substack • 38 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Justice Ethics Free will Authority
  1. Retribution as a basis for a justice system is considered illegitimate by some, who argue that justice systems should focus on reducing harm, not retribution.
  2. Punishment should be justified on pragmatic grounds, such as minimizing harm and preventing future harm, rather than retribution for its own sake.
  3. Retributive justice can be seen as a form of restorative justice, aiming to heal societal breaches caused by crimes, but may need to balance with considerations of rehabilitation and societal impact.

What Jesus Left Behind

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 26 May 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Theology Community Spirituality Authority
  1. Jesus left behind a massive inheritance, not of money, but of authority to the church and its leaders. This means we have a big responsibility and power to guide our communities.
  2. The church is meant to be a supportive community, not a strict hierarchy or a disconnected group. It's important to nurture relationships and work together to follow Jesus' teachings.
  3. We should always be open to reforming and improving the church. Engaging different voices and perspectives helps us make better decisions and stay true to the mission of Jesus.

The Strong and Weak Leader

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 21 Sep 21
📖 Philosophy Leadership Ethics Authority Vulnerability
  1. Good leaders should balance strength and vulnerability. Being strong means having authority, and being weak means being open and honest with others.
  2. Flourishing comes from having both authority and vulnerability in leadership. When leaders care for others, everyone benefits and grows together.
  3. Each leadership style leads to different outcomes. Ignoring vulnerability can lead to exploitation, while being too vulnerable without authority can result in suffering.

people can't get you out of their head 🫠

Business & Marketing with Nika • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Sales Branding Visibility Authority
  1. To stay on people's minds, you need to be visible everywhere. The more you show up, the more likely they will remember you.
  2. Being 'top of mind' means you want to be the first brand people think of when they need something. If you're not first, aim for a strong second place.
  3. Consistent and unique content can help you stand out. Use the same style and voice to build your brand and try to collaborate with others to reach more people.