A Case of Relational Autonomy in the Mahābhārata: the Story of Pūjanī
The dialogue between Pūjanī (a bird-mother) and Brahmadatta (a king) is a lesser known episode in the Mahābhārata. This paper explores how Pūjanī's voice is relevant when rethinking autonomy for feminist relational selves. I first unravel the different 'stories' that can be told throu...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
[2019]
|
| In: |
Sophia
Year: 2019, Volume: 58, Issue: 2, Pages: 239-254 |
| IxTheo Classification: | BK Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism TB Antiquity VA Philosophy |
| Further subjects: | B
Intersectional identity
B Appropriate trust B Mahābhārata B Relational self B Compatibilism B Autonomy |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) |
| Summary: | The dialogue between Pūjanī (a bird-mother) and Brahmadatta (a king) is a lesser known episode in the Mahābhārata. This paper explores how Pūjanī's voice is relevant when rethinking autonomy for feminist relational selves. I first unravel the different 'stories' that can be told through this single but multi-layered narrative. Then, by re-arranging their insights and using the idea of 'normative authority' proposed by Catriona Mackenzie (in a different context), I piece together a picture of autonomy foregrounding dependence on others and volatile emotionality--both of which are generally thought to be opposed to 'being in control' or being autonomous. This emerging picture of self-governance indicates how even selves constituted by relationships to others can exit relational situations that are or become harmful. I also show that the episode leaves behind 'internalist' conceptions of autonomy for more capacious notions of self-determination that incorporate the importance of structural changes for agentive freedom. This goes beyond the insights of the Mahābhārata in a self-reflexive move built into the story itself. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1873-930X |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Sophia
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1007/s11841-018-0644-y |
