Autonomy, Gender, Politics

by Marilyn Friedman

Women have historically been prevented from living autonomously by systematic injustice, subordination, and oppression. The lingering effects of these practices have prompted many feminists to view autonomy with suspicion. Here, Marilyn Friedman defends the ideal of feminist autonomy. In her eyes, behavior is autonomous if it accords with the wants, cares, values, or commitments that the actor has reaffirmed and is able to sustain in the face of opposition. By her account, autonomy is socially grounded yet also individualizing and sometimes socially disruptive, qualities that can be ultimately advantageous for women. Friedman applies the concept of autonomy to domains of special interest to women. She defends the importance of autonomy in romantic love, considers how social institutions should respond to women who choose to remain in abusive relationships, and argues that liberal societies should tolerate minority cultural practices that violate women's rights so long as the
women in question have chosen autonomously to live according to those practices.

Genres: Feminism, Philosophy

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Vidit · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Friedman's account of autonomy is often difficult to pin down, her discussion is interesting and comprehensive. However, there does not seem to be a consistent account, or line of argument, that runs through the book. The first half is relatively continuous, but it's hard to see the relevance of certain chapters in the last part. In particular, it would have been nice to see Friedman offer some specific critiques or proposals. While often alluding to the complex nature of the intersection of autonomy with social relationships, institutions, gender, sexuality, ways of life, culture differences, religious and cultural institutions, government, and law, her discussion is often a bit general. A few chapters even feel like a bit of a literature review. Though this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's not exactly what I was looking for.

For non-academic philosophers, I think the main claims and arguments in this book would probably be relatively accessible (and interesting if you're not familiar with this area or these issues).

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh. Yet another modern feminist work that feels like a good idea with poor execution. The chapters don't support a thoroughgoing argument. Though the initial idea sounds very interesting: (autonomy is best conceived of as a content-neutral and minimal capacity of critical endorsement .... what does this mean for feminism?)

The book never really addresses this difficult question head on, and is more of a negative project or critical literature review. I think Friedman is trying to set this book somewhere between the justice meets autonomy literature and feminist criticism. But it fails to do either well and that torpedoes the joint project.