The Limits of Procedural Autonomy: Competency, Authenticity, and the Case for a Normative Account

Azizjon Bagadirov (Justitia Center for Advanced Studies)

 

Abstract

In this paper, I discuss potential limitations of the dominant content-neutral procedural accounts of personal autonomy. I focus on some of the central conditions such accounts stipulate, related to competency in one's reflection and to the authenticity of one's preferences, arguing that these conditions face difficulties in dealing with diffuse forms of autonomy-compromising practices. I also consider hybrid approaches that seek to incorporate normative constraints while preserving content-neutrality, noting a concern that, while resolving certain issues, they might do so at the cost of raising others. I conclude with suggesting an alternative (substantive and normative) account and with ways to answer the potential objections it might face.

Redner

Azizjon Bagadirov ist ein politischer Philosoph mit einem großen Interesse an Soziologie, kritischer Theorie und antiker Ethik. Im Jahr 2025/26 ist er auf Einladung des Justitia Center for Advanced Studies, das von der Alfons und Gertrud Kassel Stiftung gefördert wird, Postdoctoral Fellow am Forschungskolleg Humanwissenschaften. Vor der Justitia fellowship war er Hannah Arendt Doctoral Fellow für Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften am European University Institute in Florenz, wo er 2024 promovierte, sowie Chevening Scholar an der University of Southampton. Der Titel seiner Dissertation lautet »Human flourishing and structural injustice«.