Let’s Discuss! Hannah Arendt, What Is Authority?

On Saturday, 19th of September, we’ll meet to discuss Hannah Arendt’s essay What Is Authority? (1954)

What makes someone worthy of being followed or obeyed? What is the difference between authority, power, and force? And what happens when traditional forms of authority lose their legitimacy?

In this essay, Arendt explores the idea of authority from Ancient Rome to the modern world and asks why authority has become so difficult to understand and maintain in our time.

Hannah Arendt (1906–1975) was a political thinker best known for her writings on totalitarianism, power, freedom, and political life. Her major works include The Origins of Totalitarianism, The Human Condition, and Eichmann in Jerusalem.

⸻

Anyone is welcome! No background in philosophy is needed. Please read the essay beforehand and bring along any thoughts, questions, or passages you found interesting.

📍 Attendance is free
⏳ Spots are limited
🔗 Please register via Meetup so we know how many people to expect.

⸻

Link to the text (pages 91–143):

https://archive.org/details/hannah-arendt-between-past-and-future/page/n7/mode/1up