Skip to content
Carmelics
Topics
Thinkers
Changes
Contributors
Loading account…
Statements
321,452
Perspectives
108,905
Topics
42
Home
/
Original
/
inverse
See Original
Inverse View
It is not the case that Hume argues that long-established governments acquire legitimacy through custom and habit, making de facto continuity constitutive of de jure authority.
?
Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.
Reasons For
1 perspective
Reason for
?
1.
Longevity of unjust rule (slavery, tyranny) does not make it legitimate; mere duration cannot convert de facto power into de jure authority.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
2.
Custom-based legitimacy conflates psychological habituation with moral justification; habit explains compliance but not why authority should exist.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
3.
This view immunizes oppressive regimes from legitimacy challenges by making their entrenchment their strongest defense, inverting justice.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
Reasons Against
1 perspective
Reason against
?
1.
Psychological stability requires predictable authority; long-established governments provide this, making their legitimacy functionally necessary.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
2.
De facto continuity generates genuine consent through evolved social coordination; people accept stable orders they've lived within their entire lives.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
3.
Without custom-based legitimacy, every government would require constant philosophical justification to remain valid, making stable rule impossible.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
Next step
Based on where you are in your exploration
Strongest counterpoint
Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.