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 through this single...
| Publicado en: | Sophia Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 239 - 255 |
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| Autor principal: | |
| Formato: | Artículo |
| Publicado: |
Springer Nature
Jun2019
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| Sumario: | 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. |
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