In this episode of the DisAllusioned Podcast, host Ari Sherwood continues her series into the philosophy behind cults, focusing on the concepts of authority and autonomy, tackling some foundational questions: What makes authority legitimate? Why should we obey authority? And can a cult be a legitimate authority? Ari gives an introduction into the philosophy of authority and the various philosophical perspectives, including those of Thomas Hobbes, Immanuel Kant, Plato, and John Stuart Mill, examining what makes authority legitimate and the moral obligations individuals have towards it. Ari emphasizes the importance of personal agency and the challenges faced by cult survivors in reclaiming their autonomy. Understanding what authority is, the relevance of autonomy and consent in legitimating authority, and the variations in philosophical approaches can help you in your own deconstruction and recovery process.
Thank you for watching DisAllusioned Podcast! Don't forget to subscribe for more discussions and interviews focusing on coercive control and the cult dynamic.
Follow DisAllusioned Podcast:
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@intrinsic_agency
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/disallusioned_podcast/
Follow Intrinsic Agency:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/intrinsicagency/
Recommended Philosophy Books:
Thomas Hobbes Leviathan:
https://a.co/d/82TJV39
Immanuel Kant Critique of Pure Reason:
https://a.co/d/isxqed9
Plato's The Republic:
https://a.co/d/iZAwWtg
John Stuart Mill's On Liberty:
https://a.co/d/gRpTvr2
Robert Paul Wolff In Defense of Anarchism:
https://a.co/d/08xM3OM
Leslie Green's Authority of the State:
https://a.co/d/dRX0RCy
Philosophical Resources:
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
https://plato.stanford.edu/
PhilPapers:
https://philpapers.org/
American Philosophical Association:
https://www.apaonline.org/
The Philosopher's Magazine:
https://philosophersmag.com/
