Joseph Raz’s Service Conception and the Limits of Knowability

Abstract This essay criticizes Joseph Raz’s service conception of authority on the basis its knowability condition. The condition states that for agents to be justified in following authoritative directives, they must able know (i.e., form reliable beliefs) issuing directives is fact legitimate. Three grounds concern are identified. first satisfaction normal justification thesis (NJT), which legitimacy authorities hinges whether their enable subjects better conform reason, only provides with reasons believe it act as if an were legitimate assumption is). Based belief/acceptance distinction, NJT allows a gap between what actually case and willing go along order improve likelihood conforming right reason. independence (IC), those matters where obtains subject such conformity than decide herself, satisfied conjunction NJT, but suffers from own particular problems. Thus, second problem identified incommensurable values, appears when not value improving reason—NJT—and deciding themselves—IC. Finally, third vagueness about attempting determine meets two conditions settle reason improved. Together, these three areas serve challenge position.