Από τον (αυτόνομο) τραγικό ήρωα στη σύγχρονη ιδεολογία της πολιτικής αυτονομίας

Abstract

We are attempting to draw a distinction between the contemporary ideology of political autonomy and the early autonomous subject: the tragic hero. Be it Antigone, Prometheus or Medea, the main characteristic of the autonomous subject is their split with society, since to abide by your own laws means breaking the established collective/common laws. What lends grandeur to the tragic hero is that he has the imagination, courage and strength to create his own terms. His grandeur comes about precisely from the conflict with the rest of the community and with the Legislator who is to be obeyed. Not only the tragedy but the essential integrity of the hero is defined by his autonomy. We will look at the evolution of the concept of autonomy through time, with the guidance of three important landmarks, Kant, Castoriadis and anarchic autonomy. Kant is known for making the first transition from a maxim to a universal law. (Indirectly, it is this universality which turns the maxim into law.) More particularly in Castoriadis, autonomy is not so much a tragic choice but an optimistic and promising ideology. The question arises whether attributing autonomy to a collective subject and abolishing the rift with society (as autonomy goes on to become society itself) may end up having the exact opposite result. Finally, it is feared that essential authentic autonomy cannot survive even within an anarchic movement.