Abstract

To understand human nature, one must also understand what is required to maintain autonomy and satisfy human need, two features of human nature. This thesis contrasts two views of human nature. First, I will argue that the liberal view contains the values and principles of individualism. Based on their ontology, liberals often claim that their socio-political structure can enable autonomy because it too is individualistically centred. However, by privileging individualistic values, the relational need feature of human nature is marginalized and this, in turn, can hinder people from choosing and pursuing relational need fulfilment. Yet I will argue that relational need fulfilment is necessary for autonomy. Thus, the liberal view of human nature and its means to enable autonomy are flawed. After contrasting the two views, I argue that liberalism is an insufficient medium for relational need fulfilment and autonomy because it generates rejection. First, the choice and performance conditions of autonomy are rejected. Second, liberal one-way power marginalizes and rejects the relational need theory. Dept. of Philosophy. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2001.B73. Source: Masterss International, Volume: 40-06, page: 1379. Adviser: Jeff Noonan. Thesis --University of Windsor, 2001.