Bocheński’s Concept of Authority

Abstract

This article discusses the 20th century Polish philosopher and logician Józef Maria Bocheński’s concept of authority, which is based on the theory of relations. Bocheński claims that authority is a tripartite relationship which is comprised of authoritative person, subject of authority, and domain of authority. The article analyses how these elements interact, what conditions determine recognition of authority and what the specifics of the relationship of authority are. It also discusses the taxonomy of authority, the errors that result from the misapplication of this taxonomy and their implications for the political life and societal organization.