Explain and assess two reasons why we should submit to an authority.

Firstly, submitting to an authority solves the problem of co-operation - we are better off in life if we work together to secure the things we need to live our lives, also if we coordinate how we behave with other people. Without cooperation co-existing with others would be more chaotic and there would be more room for disagreements, inequality and unfairness, therefore it makes sense for us to obey an authority i.e. a platform whereby laws are decided and thus how we are to act cooperatively in order to ensure a good standard of living. 

Secondly, relying on an authority gives us a short-cut into rational thinking and thus behaviours, some of which that we would have anyway - for example, not driving when drunk because it is dangerous. The law provides us with rational reasons to do and not do certain things that are in place to protect us. Furthermore, as Hume argues, the law gives us reasons to help others and contribute to the common good, which also ultimately improves our quality of living.

Assess whether it is rational to submit to an authority.

Anarchists believe that it is irrational to submit to an authority as we have no political obligation and the state has no legitimate authority over us. They believe that obeying the state stops people from thinking for themselves about what is wrong, as they simply accept whatever the authority says, which undermines individual moral judgement. Furthermore, moral judgement is replaced with self-interested thinking, such as submitting to an authority in order to avoid getting into trouble, rather than obeying for moral reasons, for instance, Milgram's electric shock experiment. Subsequently, anarchists believe that it is irrational to submit to an authority because we would be undermining our ability to make and act upon moral judgements (autonomy), furthermore because this may lead to bad consequences. 

However, it can be argued that if the authority respects individual autonomy, then the two aren't incompatible and it isn't irrational to obey. By upholding rights that protect the individuals ability to act as they think is right in many cases, a degree of autonomy and moral judgement is maintained whilst also obeying an authority. This can be enforced by an authority, for example, through holding elections when making its laws - this shows that the authority respects and takes into account individuals' views.