Rethinking Freedom: A Critical Analysis of Kantian Autonomy
Kantian autonomy, moral agency, relational ethics, feminist critique, rational will,structural inequality, .
Immanuel Kant’s idea of autonomy has been a key part of modern moral and political philosophy. It is based on the belief that rational individuals can create moral laws for themselves without outside interference. This ideal of self-governance relies on reason and the Categorical Imperative and has greatly influenced liberal democratic thought, human rights discussions, and ideas about moral responsibility. However, this seemingly universal model has faced ongoing criticism, especially considering today’s ethical and socio-political realities.This paper provides a critical look at Kantian autonomy by exploring its basic principles and evaluating its importance in today’s diverse and connected world. It addresses major critiques from feminist ethics, communitarianism, and critical theory, pointing out limitations like emotional detachment, abstract individualism, and a lack of attention to structural inequality. Thinkers such as Christine Korsgaard, Martha Nussbaum, and Jennifer Nedelsky are discussed for their attempts to reshape autonomy in more relational and socially integrated ways. The paper also considers alternative models that incorporate emotions, dialogue, and social context, offering a broader view of moral agency.
Ultimately, the paper argues that while Kantian autonomy remains important for its focus on moral reasoning and dignity, it needs to expand to include emotional, relational, and material aspects of human freedom. Rethinking the concept is vital to make autonomy more inclusive, ethically sound, and relevant to current issues in ethics, public policy, and global justice.
"Rethinking Freedom: A Critical Analysis of Kantian Autonomy", IJSDR - International Journal of Scientific Development and Research (www.IJSDR.org), ISSN:2455-2631, Vol.9, Issue 10, page no.620-625, October-2024, Available :https://ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDR2410068.pdf
Volume 9
Issue 10,
July-2024
Pages : 620-625
Paper Reg. ID: IJSDR_303904
Published Paper Id: IJSDR2410068
Downloads: 000171
Research Area: Science and Technology
Country: -, -, India
ISSN: 2455-2631 | IMPACT FACTOR: 9.15 Calculated By Google Scholar | ESTD YEAR: 2016
An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 9.15 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator
Publisher: IJSDR(IJ Publication) Janvi Wave
