The hottest Authority Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

The Grift Bubble

Thinking about... • 1096 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authority
  1. The leaders are trapped in a 'grift bubble' where they focus on personal gain over the country's well-being, which can lead to the U.S. breaking apart.
  2. They do not realize that their actions can destroy the very system that allows them to profit, mistaking their personal success for the nation's health.
  3. Citizens who value love, law, and moral integrity are key to holding back authoritarianism and helping the nation survive against the grifters.

The Amoralists

KERFUFFLE • 89 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Authority
  1. Rulers can replace costly military occupation by creating a moral or religious system that makes people willingly obey, so subjects see submission as divinely right rather than coerced.
  2. When power is perceived as legitimate, control depends more on ideas and beliefs than on force, so political battles shift from armies to priests, philosophers, and demagogues.
  3. Legitimacy makes rule self-sustaining and expansionary because converted subjects will defend and spread the order, but it also makes power vulnerable to ideological attacks and requires continual intellectual work to maintain.

Sobering morning thoughts

Disaffected Newsletter • 1638 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture 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.

Doctor, Doctor

Philosophy bear • 128 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Authority
  1. People with academic doctorates can call themselves 'doctor,' but they don't need to ask others to do so all the time. It's nice to have the title for respect but using it isn't always necessary.
  2. Using the title 'doctor' makes sense in certain formal situations or to assert authority when someone is being rude. Most of the time, it's better to keep things casual and focus on the conversation.
  3. Respecting academic titles is important because it honors the long process of learning and knowledge. Academics contribute a lot to society, even if it often goes unnoticed.
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the puzzle of authority when no one is really in charge

Brain Pizza • 331 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Authority
  1. Authority can be confusing when no one person is clearly in charge. It's hard to know who to turn to for decisions or guidance.
  2. The way organizations are structured affects how power and responsibility are shared. A balanced structure can help everyone work better together.
  3. Questions about leadership can highlight gaps in communication within large groups or systems. Finding clear lines of contact is important for success.

Trump Uses Legal Threats to Push Federal Reserve Member To Resign

Can We Still Govern? • 230 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authority
  1. Using legal threats to push out opponents is a sign of authoritarianism. It makes people question whether the law is being applied fairly.
  2. The way Trump is trying to push Federal Reserve member Lisa Cook to resign shows how he uses intimidation. This attack is not about Cook's qualifications but about controlling power.
  3. There seems to be a focus on attacking certain officials while ignoring similar actions from Trump supporters. This creates a double standard and makes it harder for those in positions of power to feel safe.

Accountability and Authority

In My Tribe • 683 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💼 Business 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.

Authority

afternoon walk • 79 implied HN points • 06 May 24
🌍 World Politics Authority
  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.

An Introduction to the Problem of Authority

Fake Noûs • 289 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Authority
  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.

Fascism begins in the home, yes it does

Disaffected Newsletter • 599 implied HN points • 03 Sep 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authority
  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.

Don't be a Knucklehead

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authority
  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.

Bring Me Your Leader

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 364 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Authority
  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.

Upheaval Interview: Matthew B. Crawford

The Upheaval • 617 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Authority
  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

"One Fine Son of a Bitch"

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics 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.

The State

Fake Noûs • 342 implied HN points • 20 May 23
📖 Philosophy Authority
  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.

Position to Know

The End(s) of Argument • 19 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🚌 Education Authority
  1. Facts are things generally undisputed by those in a position to know.
  2. Being in a 'position to know' entails having expertise or opportunity to understand a situation.
  3. When evaluating sources, it's crucial to consider what unique perspective or knowledge each person brings to the table.

From Command to Consensus

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
💼 Business Authority
  1. Flexing authority can lead to resentment and limited commitment in real-life scenarios.
  2. Inviting disagreement and consensus from team members can lead to stronger decisions and higher motivation.
  3. Disagree and Commit principle can help in calibrating the use of authority, creating more commitment and reducing resentment.

What Jesus Left Behind

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 26 May 22
⛪ Faith & 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 Authority
  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.

Is Retribution Illegitimate?

Gideon's Substack • 38 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy 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.

The paradox of faith in the Science

(hector egbert) • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Authority
  1. The public is often demanded to trust in science to solve global crises.
  2. There is a distinction between regular science and the weaponized use of Science by governing bodies.
  3. Trust is questioned when the motivations behind Science are seen as selfish and driven by power imbalances.