
Ep. 320 Philosopher Michael Huemer on the Problem of Political Authority
Bob Murphy Show
Discussion on the need for explanation of authority and majority rule
The defenders of authority need to provide a valid explanation of why they have authority, which is essential in situations such as work hierarchies and parenting. The authority of the state also requires a clear justification, as the existing explanations often contain factual or moral errors. The belief that democracy grants authority because people agree to the system is questioned, as having a majority does not automatically justify authority or override individuals' natural rights. The example of deciding who pays the dinner bill illustrates that a majority vote does not necessarily entitle them to enforce their decision on others. Therefore, there is a need for a robust explanation for the authority of the state to justify actions that might otherwise be considered rights violations, surpassing the simple notion of majority rule.