The Problem of Autonomy in Modern Jewish Political Thought: Concepts of Simon Dubnow and Yael Tamir

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Abstract

This paper examines the comparison of understanding autonomy in concepts of Russian- Jewish historian Simon Dubnow and contemporary Israeli philosopher Yael Tamir. In this paper, I investigate the influence of German philosophy particularly concepts of Hegel and Kant on Dubnow’s theory of autonomism and compare it with the concept of liberal nationalism that was developed by Yael Tamir. Both authors argued that individuals are rational agents and their individual autonomy should be respected while the autonomy of a cultural group should be protected by a state. Thus, Dubnow’s concept can be considered as a predecessor of modern political discourse about equality and justice.

Author

• Anna Bulgakova