The Metaphysics of Autonomy

Author(s)

Mark Coeckelbergh

Abstract

If we want to be autonomous, what do we want? The author shows that contemporary value-neutral and metaphysically economical conceptions of autonomy, such as that of Harry Frankfurt, face a serious problem. Drawing on Plato, Augustine, and Kant, this book provides a sketch of how 'ancient' and 'modern' can be reconciled to solve it. But at what expense? It turns out that the dominant modern ideal of autonomy cannot do without a costly metaphysics if it is to be coherent.

Organisation(s)

Department of Philosophy

No. of pages

232

Publication date

2004

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

603102 Epistemology, 603110 Metaphysics, 603103 Ethics

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/598780a4-64c6-4370-8657-312e38030d59