feminist approach to the concept of autonomy with respect to Spinoza's philosophy

Rethinking the tradition of western philosophy, Feminist thinkers have claimed the most important philosophical concepts in this old and long lasting tradition, such as reason and autonomy have been opposed to matter and irrationality, or dependence and whatever is associated with feminine concepts. They believe these oppositions and dichotomies have produced the masculinist concepts. One of these concepts which have severely been criticized by feminists is autonomy, which means being self-sufficient, self-governing and self-determining. They have criticized this concept which has been produced by modern tradition of western thought. And, of course, they have also searched this tradition to find the proper and strong support for the concept of autonomy which is in accord with attitudes of feminist. Reconceiving and rereading the western thought tradition, the feminists have found Spinoza’s philosophy as a great source and origin for their novel and modern views. Thus, they have developed a new and modern concept of autonomy: the relational autonomy. In this essay, I have explained how feminists have found Spinoza’s philosophy and his way of thinking as an important support for their concept of relational autonomy. Finally, I have posed a point which may be an instance of challenge to feminist's way of thinking about the concept of autonomy and if it could be, then it should be considered