{"product_id":"autonomy-an-essay-on-the-life-well-lived-hardback-9781509537990","title":"Autonomy; An Essay on the Life Well-Lived (Hardback) 9781509537990","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eAutonomy\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eAn Essay on the Life Well-Lived\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eBeate Roessler (Author), James C. Wagner (Translated by)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781509537990, Polity Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eHardback, published 21 May 2021\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e380 pages\u003cbr\u003e23.1 x 15.8 x 2.5 cm, 0.522 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e“It needs a rare mixture of hermeneutical sensibility, analytical scrutiny, and existentialist imagination to give the individual search for autonomy the right place within the imponderables of one’s life. Beate Roessler, possessing these talents abundantly, is in my view the first one to fully illuminate both the desire and the difficulties we have in finding our own voice in the midst of social obstructions, individual self-misunderstandings, and communicative relationships. Her new book is by far the best philosophical study on this intricate topic and therefore a must-read.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAxel Honneth, Department of Philosophy, Columbia University\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“In one of the most lucid and insightful treatments of the subject of autonomy in the recent literature, Roessler takes profoundly seriously the contingencies and ambivalences inherent in everyday life, even in well-lived lives. The view of autonomy that emerges is thereby more nuanced, appropriately complex, and true to life than most on offer. The masterful use of literary examples, echoed in her own elegant writing, makes Roessler’s treatment of the topic a joy to read. Moreover, the account she offers, both of autonomy and its connection to a life well lived, is powerful and compelling.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn Christman, Professor of Philosophy, Political Science and Women's Studies, Pennsylvania State University\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“Engagingly written, and enriched with a series of well-chosen literary examples, \u003ci\u003e\u003ci\u003eAutonomy\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e masterfully articulates the tensions between two conflicting but deeply entrenched conceptions of ourselves – as self-determined agents, and as beings who are subject to situations and circumstances that we do not choose. In explaining how these tensions can be reconciled, Beate Roessler presents a compelling argument for the view that autonomy is a necessary condition for a well-lived life. A lucid exploration of the interconnections between autonomy, self-knowledge, privacy, and social relationships, \u003ci\u003e\u003ci\u003eAutonomy\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e makes an important contribution to the contemporary literature on autonomy.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCatriona Mackenzie, Professor of Philosophy, Macquarie University\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn everyday life, we generally assume that we can make our own decisions on matters which concern our own lives. We assume that a life followed only according to decisions taken by other people, against our will, cannot be a well-lived life – we assume, in other words, that we are and should be autonomous. However, it is equally true that many aspects of our lives are not chosen freely: this is true of social relations and commitments but also of all those situations we simply seem to stumble into, situations which just seem to happen to us. The possibility of both the success of an autonomous life and its failure are part of our everyday experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e In this brilliant and illuminating book, Beate Roessler examines the tension between failing and succeeding to live an autonomous life and the obstacles we have to face when we try to live our life autonomously, obstacles within ourselves as well as those that stem from social and political conditions. She highlights the ambiguities we encounter, examines the roles of self-awareness and self-deception, explores the role of autonomy for the meaning of life, and maps out the social and political conditions necessary for autonomy. Informed by philosophical perspectives but also drawing on literary texts, such as those of Siri Hustvedt and Jane Austen, and diaries, including those of Franz Kafka and Sylvia Plath, Roessler develops a formidable defense of autonomy against excessive expectations and, above all, against overpowering skepticism.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePreface to the English edition vii \u003cp\u003ePreface viii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroduction: Autonomy in Everyday Life 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 What is Autonomy? A Conceptual Approach 10\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRemarks on the history of the concept 11\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNegative freedom, positive freedom, autonomy 14\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConditions of individual autonomy 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutonomy and rational plans 24\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 Ambivalences 27\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVarious forms of ambivalence 28\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmbivalence as a disease of the will 32\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIs an ambivalent will a healthy will? 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe ambivalent self 37\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConflicts of ambivalence as conflicts of identity 39\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutonomy and the acceptance of conflicts 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 Autonomy and the Meaning of Life 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhy do we value autonomy? 45\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSisyphus contented 47\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDoes the meaning of life consist in the satisfaction of desire? 48\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe objective meaning of life 52\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMill’s crisis and subjective meaning in life 58\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen does the question of meaning arise? 60\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4 Autonomy, Self-Knowledge, and Self-Deception 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-knowledge and self-determination 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-deception: how can I be mistaken about myself? 66\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHow can self-knowledge fail? On fundamental epistemic uncertainties 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe quantified self 80\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 Autonomy, Self-Thematization, Self-Examination: From Diaries to Blogs 84\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-examination, self-control, reflection 84\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhy diaries? And which diaries? 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutonomy in the diary: examples 92\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlogs and the new technologies of self-examination 102\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat is the framework of autonomy? 107\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e6 Autonomous Choice and the Good Life 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe question of the good life and perfectionism 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHappiness, autonomy, and meaning 115\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe significance of choosing: conditions of an autonomous decision 117\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWho actually chooses and in what context? 120\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlienation (and authenticity) 123\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVirtue and character 129\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 Private Life 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhy privacy? 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDimensions of privacy 136\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInformational privacy, social relationships, and autonomy 139\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutonomous persons in relationships (I) 142\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutonomy and domestic privacy: autonomous persons in relationships (II) 146\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrivacy and democratic society 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 Social Preconditions of Autonomy 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat are social conditions? 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe social constitution of autonomy 156\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutonomy, ideology, and adaptive preferences 162\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial opportunities and justice 169\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween autonomy and oppression: limiting cases 172\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 The Reality of Autonomy 177\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutonomy is not an illusion 177\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe significance of social practices 179\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial unfreedom and implicit bias 181\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAspects of moral responsibility 186\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutonomy and the life well lived 189\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNotes 193\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBibliography 229\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 250\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Philosophy [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Philosophy\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Philosophy%20%5BHP%5D%22\"\u003eHP\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Polity","offers":[{"title":"Brand New","offer_id":52441800802584,"sku":"9781509537990","price":45.78,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/files\/9781509537990.jpg?v=1785026107","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/autonomy-an-essay-on-the-life-well-lived-hardback-9781509537990","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}