The Metaphysics of Autonomy: The Reconciliation of Ancient and Modern Ideals of the Person

by Mark Coeckelbergh

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1349519898
• ISBN13: 9781349519897
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"