Relational Autonomy: Feminist Perspectives on Autonomy, Agency, and the Social Self

by Catriona MacKenzie (Editor)

This collection of original essays explores the social and relational dimensions of individual autonomy. Rejecting the feminist charge that autonomy is inherently masculinist, the contributors draw on feminist critiques of autonomy to challenge and enrich contemporary philosophical debates about agency, identity, and moral responsibility. The essays analyze the complex ways in which oppression can impair an agent's capacity for autonomy, and investigate connections, neglected by standard accounts, between autonomy and other aspects of the agent, including self-conception, self-worth, memory, and the imagination.

Genres: Feminism, Philosophy, Nonfiction

328 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

the most satisfying philosophy I've ever read tbh - i learnt so much from these essays, both in terms of clarifying lots of thoughts but also in figuring out what kinds of actions i want to take myself as well as theorising larger/structural actions that i would like to be a part of

[Ellie Búnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘an adequate understanding of critical assessment must begin by rejecting the conception of atomistic subjectivity characteristic of “hyperbolized autonomy” and replacing it with a relational view of subjectivity, centered on the recognition that persons are “second persons” who only become persons in relations with others’.
- autonomy disrupts personal relationships
A bit dry for me but all in all a great read. Very rich with ideas but a bit repetitive for my current mindset (which is at saturation point haha). I’m very grateful my uni library sourced this gem for me.
I’m going to spend some time in my garden to process all of this information now 💕

[Leabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book recognises that autonomy (as an ethical principle) does not exist independent of relationship. It brings a reality to bear on the practice of ethics; the context in which ethical issues are played out.