[lbo-talk] Re: The postmodern prince

Miles Jackson cqmv at pdx.edu
Mon Dec 8 10:09:46 PST 2003


On Sun, 7 Dec 2003, Michael Dawson wrote:


> > I think this is a fair paraphrase: "I like personal
> > autonomy because it maximizes personal autonomy."
>
> Is not. I like maximum personal autonomy because it maximizes personal life
> chances and enriches democracy and the range of choices available to the
> race. Personally, I also find that the most authentic and autonomous
> individuals also tend to have the deepest ethics and regard for fellows and
> other creatures and important things.

By definition, personal autonomy is maximizing life chances and increasing choices. Your claim has to be true, by definition: it's like saying "I like being a bachelor because I'm unmarried".

Miles



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