Individual autonomy in the multicultural debate

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Philosophy
Degree name
Master of Arts
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Philosophy and Religious Studies
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2007
Authors
Fletcher, Callum Dowie
Abstract

In this thesis, I claim that the Liberal Multiculturalist arguments for group rights, which would enable group autonomy, are problematic. Such claims are instrumentally justified by the value that groups have for their individual members. I claim that group autonomy and individual autonomy are incompatible. Concern for the freedom of individuals requires that there is a common Liberal legal framework covering all of the cultural groups that may exist within a state. I will argue for such a system, claiming that it must be substantive in scope, while also outlining how decisions on the common rules should be fairly deliberated before being resolved. Furthermore, I will defend my position from both Liberal Multiculturalist and Strong Multiculturalist objections.

Description
Citation
Keywords
philosophy, multiculturalism, liberalism
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
Copyright Callum Dowie Fletcher