Abstract
We examine an article of Paul Ricoeur on autonomy and vulnerability. Ricoeur presents the two notions in the field of justice as intricately woven into each other. He analyzes their interdependence on three levels of human agency. Ricoeur’s exposition has a focus on judicial judgment. After presenting Ricoeur’s argument and an analysis of his main points, the author argues that Ricoeur’s reflection lines up with some essential intentions of care ethics. Ricoeur’s contribution to care ethics is given in a delicate balance of autonomy and its vulnerability.
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Notes
Ricoeur closes Oneself As Another with an ontological coda, which is lacking in the present article. As a matter of fact, I cannot envisage how the ontological perspective would have added to this judicial application of Ricoeur’s view on the human self.
I refer to the Dutch project of helping senior people to make a book of their lives, including stories, photos, etc. Cf. Tromp (2011).
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This article is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Dr. Han Adriaanse (1940–2012), emeritus professor in the philosophy of religion at Leiden University, who has introduced many students into the philosophy of his beloved Paul Ricoeur.
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Hettema, T.L. Autonomy and its vulnerability: Ricoeur’s view on justice as a contribution to care ethics. Med Health Care and Philos 17, 493–498 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-013-9532-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-013-9532-y