About the Book
What can theology offer philosophical discussions of autonomy? In this distinctive collection of essays, Insole and DeSpain lead a cadre of academics from across the world in answering this question. In doing so, they challenge the narrow conception of 'liberalism' that has characterised much of the discussion around autonomy.
The contributions disrupt traditional methodologies by starting with analyses of urgent and concrete situations where the concept of autonomy is employed, misappropriated or even challenged. These scenarios include essays on trauma, transgender issues, disability and end-of-life debates. This volume also explores broader political issues that relate to autonomy such as democracy, the economy and migration.
Each chapter maintains a focused concern with social justice whilst demonstrating how a religious dimension can expand our understanding of the concept of autonomy. This is sure to be a valuable resource for any theologians, philosophers or intellectual historians looking to view autonomy from a fresh and contemporary angle.
Table of Contents:
Introduction (Christopher J. Insole, Durham University, UK and Benjamin R. DeSpain, Australian Catholic University, Australia)
Part I
Autonomy and Trauma
1. Trauma and Autonomous Agency (Diana Tietjens Meyers, University of Connecticut, USA)
2. The Trauma of Chattel Slavery: (im)Possibility of Agency/Autonomy (M. Shawn Copeland, Boston College, USA)
3. Response to M. Shawn Copeland and Diana Meyers (Shelly Rambo, Boston University, USA)
Autonomy and Gender Identity
4. Autonomy and Trans People (Susannah Cornwall, University of Exeter, UK)
5. Transformative Autonomy, Or: Why Christianity cannon include the one twin (converts) and exclude the other (transgender people) (Matthias Wirth, University of Bern, Switzerland)
6. Reponses to Susannah Cornwall and Mathias Wirth (Gerlad McKenny, University of Notre Dame)
Autonomy and Disability
7. Disability and the Double Edge Sword of Autonomy (Anita Ho, University of British Columbia, Canada)
8. Preserving Autonomy and Rights in the Context of Disability Theology (Michael Mawson, Charles Sturt University, Australia)
9. Independent Flourishing: A Theological-Ethical Response to Anita Ho and Michael Mawson (Yves de Maeseneer, KU Leuven, Belgium)
Autonomy and End-of-Life Issues
10. The Autonomy Paradox: Reflection on Dutch Euthanasia Practice (Theo Boer, Protestant University at Groningen, Netherlands)
11. Autonomy's Suicide (Nigel Biggar, Oxford University, UK)
12. Response to Nigel Biggar and Theo Boer (David Kirchhoffer, Australian Catholic University, Australia)
Part II
Autonomy and Representation
13. Autonomy, Value, and the Unalienated Life: An Interview with Akeel Bilgrami (Christopher J. Insole, University of Durham, UK)
14. Autonomy, Domination, Abuse (Vincent Lloyd, Villanova University, USA)
15. Autonomy and the Politics of Resistance and Transformation: A Response to Akeel Bilgrami and Vincent Lloyd (Linda Hogan, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland)
Autonomy, Economy and Money
16. Autonomy, Social Structure, and the Economy: Freedom within Restriction and Opportunity (Daniel K. Finn, College of Saint Benedict and St John's University, USA)
17. Rescuing Autonomy from Money: Challenging the UBI Narrative (S. Steward Braun, Australia Catholic University, Australia)
18. Supporting Autonomy in Structures of Inequality: A Response to Daniel Finn and Stewart Braun (Kate Ward, Marquette University, USA)
Autonomy and Migration
19. Fearful Symmetry: Autonomy and Solidarity in Kakuma (William O'Neill, Santa Clara University, USA)
20. Autonomy and Refugee Experience: An Interview with Anna Rowlands (Christopher J. Insole, Durham University, UK)
21. Response to William O'Neill and Anna Rowlands (Kristin Heyer, Boston College, USA)
About the Author :
Christopher J. Insole is Professor of Philosophical Theology and Ethics at Durham University, UK.
Benjamin R. DeSpain is a Senior Research Fellow in the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at Australian Catholic University, Australia.
Review :
In contemporary theology, it has become commonplace to note modernity's problematic understandings of autonomy. Redeeming Autonomy takes one important step further. Featuring an impressive array of scholars, it offers deeper, richer accounts of the concept to show how autonomy might not only be acceptable, but even beautiful and necessary.
