Autonomy and Identity : The Politics of Who We Are.

Annotation Autonomy and Identity are key concepts in both political and feminist thought and have played central roles in both fields. Although there has been much academic work on both concepts there has arguably been little that has addressed the connections between autonomy and identity. Autonomy and Identity seeks to draw innovative links between these concepts in order to develop a new understanding which sees autonomy as a process by which we change and develop our identity. It draws on thinkers from the canon of political thought such as G.W.F. Hegel, Mary Wollstonecraft, J.S. Mill and Simone de Beauvoir and features illustrative examples drawn from a wide range of contemporary issues including pornography, domestic violence and women€™s citizenship. Hague argues that identity is best understood as changing, multiple, and something we need to take control of ourselves. In order to support this version of identity there needs to be a concept of autonomy which emphasises self-direction to control our identity. Providing valuable insight into the complexities of thinking about linking autonomy to identity, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of political science, gender studies, contemporary political thought and the history of political thought. Machine Generated Contents Note: 1.constraining The Individual: Liberalism And Autonomy -- Introduction -- Individuality And Other Liberal Values -- Creative Individuality -- Constraints -- Conclusion -- 2.the Social Character Of The Autonomous Agent -- Introduction -- The Inner Self -- From Self-recognition To The Recognition Of Others -- Recognition And Community -- Conclusion -- 3.mary Wollstonecraft And The Politics Of Self-control -- Introduction -- Women's Identity -- Individuals And Relationships With Others -- Nature -- Conclusion -- 4.leaving The Nether World: Women, Autonomy And Recognition In Hegel's Thought -- Introduction -- Women's Identity In Hegel -- Hegel's Property Process -- Recognition -- Conclusion -- 5.john Stuart Mill And The Limits On Individuality -- Introduction -- Human Progress -- Autonomy And Relationships With Others -- Women's Identity And Marriage -- Nature -- Conclusion -- 6.freedom And Other People: From Matter To Mind To Other People Matter In De Beauvoir's Thought -- Introduction -- Matter: The Body-burdened Life Of Woman -- Mind -- Other People Matter -- Conclusion -- Conclusion -- Autonomy And Identity -- Five Themes -- Towards A Richer Concept Of Autonomy. Ros Hague. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [174]-181) And Index. Autonomy and Identity are key concepts in both political and feminist thought and have played central roles in both fields. Although there has been much academic work on both concepts there has arguably been little that has addressed the connections between autonomy and identity.Autonomy and Identity seeks to draw innovative links between these concepts in order to develop a new understanding which sees autonomy as a process by which we change and develop our identity. It draws on thinkers from the canon of political thought such as G.W.F. Hegel, Mary Wollstonecraft, J.S. Mill and Simone de Beauvoir and features illustrative examples drawn from a wide range of contemporary issues including pornography, domestic violence and women s citizenship. Hague argues that identity is best understood as changing, multiple, and something we need to take control of ourselves. In order to support this version of identity there needs to be a concept of autonomy which emphasises self-direction to control our identity.Providing valuable insight into the complexities of thinking about linking autonomy to identity, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of political science, gender studies, contemporary political thought and the history of political thought. This book examines issues raised by feminist theory and contemporary political theory around questions of identity and autonomy. Drawing on Hegel, Wollstonecraft, Mill and de Beauvoir, it also features illustrative examples of real-world issues and dilemmas.