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.

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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/