Noumenal Power, Reasons, and Justification: A Critique of Forst

This chapter addresses the connection between the right to justification and power. It reconstructs Forst’s noumenal understanding of power by analyzing his argumentative steps from the recognition of reasons by subjects of power to the thesis that this recognition requires justification and, ultimately, to the conclusion that power requires justification. It then challenges different aspects of this account related to a conceptual link and a normative link between power and justification. As far as the conceptual link is concerned, the chapter critically explores Forst’s various premises in order to challenge his conclusion that power requires justification. This critical exploration raises doubts about Forst’s starting point that to be a subject of power is to be moved by reasons.