In this session, we turned our attention to one of the most fundamental questions in political philosophy: the relationship between political authority and individual responsibility. What should the individual do when political authority becomes incompetent? What types of justifications can there be for legitimate political authority, and where do its limits lie?

Together, we explored these questions in an open and reflective setting, considering how each of us navigates the tension between obedience, resistance, and responsibility.

This meetup featured a short talk from Henry Davidson, currently pursuing a postgraduate Master’s degree in Philosophy. Henry has previously studied Philosophy at the University of Birmingham, where his undergraduate dissertation explored Political Cosmopolitanism. His current thesis defends the concept of Epistocracy as a political foundation for society.

Henry’s talk drew on the work of key thinkers such as Robert Paul Wolff (In Defense of Anarchism), John Locke (Two Treatises of Government), and Jason Brennan (Against Democracy), offering a provocative lens on authority, legitimacy, and the role of the individual.

Despite Political Authority being a potentially contentious topic, our feedback forms reveal that everyone felt included into the discussion, listened to, and cared for

We had an amazing night of focused discussion considering views from all across the political spectrum

As always, The Philosopher’s Yard provides a neutral, welcoming space for dialogue and reflection. Whether you were well-versed in political philosophy or simply curious about the nature of authority and responsibility, this was an opportunity to share your perspectives and listen to diverse viewpoints from fellow thinkers.