(iPoster) Contextualization of Universal Ideals

• In Event: Poster Session: Foundations of Political Theory 1 (Normative)

Abstract

The diversification of global intellectual history has raised critical questions on the applicability of European-originated political concepts in different cultural traditions and states of development. These intellectual traditions could be understood, on one hand, as universal ideals to pursue despite their particular historical tradition; on the other hand, their unique historical origin often challenge their relevance and adaptability to non-European societies. As post-colonial historian Dipesh Chakrabarty argues, universal political ideals are both indispensable and inadequate in thinking through the politics of non-European societies. The key task, then, is to discern what is indispensable from what is inadequate.
This paper examines the concept of autonomy, understood as a facet of subjectivity that positions the individual as the basic unit and bearer of intrinsic and   inherent rights. It traces the genealogy of “autonomy” and compare it to the dual conception of “people” in Chinese historical tradition- people as passive political agents (“min”) and people as autonomous moral personhood (“ren”). It considers a key variable in this paradigm, modernization, which leads to the overlap of these two frameworks. This overlap creates a liminal space between universalist ideals and indigenous historical traditions. This paper suggests that context-based arguments should be made to justify the normative desirability of autonomy within specific socio-historical settings.

Author

• Kitty Ngai, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG