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Overview
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.
Synopsis
Friedman (philosophy, Washington U., St. Louis) presents, defends, and applies one conception of the ideal of personal autonomy. Coverage includes Friedman's basic account of the concept, a defense of its importance—with special attention to its significance for women<-- >social dimensions of autonomy, the necessary conditions for its realization, issues in the context of intimate relationships, and autonomy in broader political realms involving the state. Four of the nine chapters are revisions of previously published versions. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR