Relational Autonomy: A Spinozistic Approach

Abstract

This paper examines a reconfiguration of the notion of Kantian autonomy with a feminist perspective. While most feminist philosophers have been suspicious about the concept as it is loaded with assumptions about selfhood, identity and agency that are metaphysically, epistemologically, ethically and politically problematic terms, some feminists argue that the notion is indispensable in understanding as well as fighting against the discrimination against and objectification of women. In doing so, some turn to Spinoza, arguing that Spinoza’s notion of the self and his ethics can be helpful in rethinking the idea of the autonomous individual. Here the key term for connecting Spinoza’s theory with the feminist approach on autonomy is “relational autonomy.”