Politics of Our Selves - Power, Autonomy, and Gender in Contemporary Critical Theory

Some theorists understand the self as constituted by power relations, while others insist upon the self's autonomous capacities for critical reflection and deliberate self-transformation. All too often, these understandings of the self are assumed to be incompatible. Amy Allen, however, argues that the capacity for autonomy is rooted in the very power relations that constitute the self. Her theoretical framework illuminates both aspects of what she calls, following Foucault, the "politics of our selves." It analyzes power in all its depth and complexity, including the complicated phenomenon of subjection, without giving up on the ideal of autonomy. Drawing on original and critical readings of a diverse group of theorists, Allen shows how the self can be both constituted by power and capable of an autonomous self-constitution.

List of contents

1. Introduction: The Politics of Our Selves2. Foucault, Subjectivity, and the Enlightenment: A Critical Reappraisal3. The Impurity of Practical Reason: Power and Autonomy in Foucault4. Dependency, Subordination, and Recognition: Butler on Subjection5. Empowering the Lifeworld? Autonomy and Power in Habermas6. Contextualizing Critical Theory7. Engendering Critical TheoryNotesBibliographyIndex

About the author

Amy Allen is associate professor of philosophy and women's and gender studies at Dartmouth College. She is the author of The Power of Feminist Theory: Domination, Resistance, Solidarity (1999).

Product details

• Authors: Amy Allen, Allen Amy
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 09.07.2013
• EAN: 9780231136235
• ISBN: 978-0-231-13623-5
• No. of pages: 248
• Series: New Directions in Critical Theory; New Directions in Critical The; New Directions in Critical Theory
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Social structure research; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Women's Studies, Social issues & processes, Gender studies: women, Social and ethical issues, Gender studies: women and girls