Description
Book SynopsisThis book offers a model of individual autonomy which takes into account the socially constructed nature of persons and their complex cultural and social identities, and provides a foundation for principles of justice for complex democracies marked by radical difference among citizens.
Trade ReviewReview of the hardback: 'The Politics of Persons is a rich and provocative work that makes a significant contribution both to autonomy theory and to political philosophy. Lively and erudite, it is a landmark work that is the most comprehensive treatment to date of how these two fields can, and should, interrelate. It should thus be read by all interested in either political philosophy or autonomy theory, and is absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in both.' James Stacey Taylor, The College of New Jersey
Review of the hardback: 'John Christman's work is at the forefront of contemporary debates about the social and political dimensions of individual autonomy. In The Politics of Persons he extends his influential historical analysis of individual autonomy in two important ways: first, by grounding this analysis in a social and historical model of the political self; and second by defending an autonomy-based conception of justice and democracy. The Politics of Persons is an ambitious and significant contribution to the theory of autonomy.' Catriona Mackenzie, Macquarie University
Table of Contents1. Introduction; Part I. Selves: 2. The social conception of the self: a critical taxonomy; 3. The post-modern subject; 4. The narrative self; 5. Memory, agency, and the self; Part II. Autonomy: 6. Political persons; 7. The historical conception of autonomy; 8. Relational autonomy; 9. The dynamics of social identities; Part III. Justice: 10. Justice over time: history, public reason, and political legitimacy; Bibliography.
