Rachel Tohn

Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Edidin, Aron

Keywords

Recognition, Autonomy, Oshana

Area of Concentration

Philosophy

Abstract

In this thesis, I develop an understanding of relational autonomy that explores in some detail the ways in which recognition of an individual by others can affect that individual's autonomous agency. In addition to the necessary internal capacities for autonomy developed by relational autonomy's predecessors, and the necessary external conditions that relational autonomy puts forth, I argue that the inner mental states and attitudes of the people involved in any given situation play an equally important role in determining an individual's autonomy. In presenting this perspective, I offer a new way to look at autonomy � not as a strictly defined attribute that is either present or not, but as a fluid way of being that coherently and non-contradictorily adjusts and changes as an individual's social situation and position adjusts and changes. We see that there are ways to live autonomously even in exceptionally rigid social structures, given the proper circumstances and the proper mindsets. I do not offer a comprehensive evaluation of how contemporary understandings of autonomy ought to be structured, but instead present a foundational work that will hopefully spawn greater discussion and inquiry.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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