Abstract

This Independent Study Thesis is divided into five chapters. The first chapter, “Problems with Existing Conceptions of Autonomy,” considers three popular schools of thought that attempt to describe what autonomy is: autonomy as a right, the individualistic tradition, and relational autonomy. The chapter discusses problems with each tradition, including specific critiques and a common issue with all three. This chapter critiques control-based conceptions of autonomy.

The second chapter, “Respect and Autonomy,” considers a conception of autonomy rooted in ideas of respect for the self as an agent. This chapter argues that in order to achieve autonomy, one must respect one’s own capacities as an agent. This theory is supported through positive and negative examples. Three objections are considered and addressed.

The third chapter “Autonomy as an Aspect of Well-Being,” argues that autonomy is an aspect of well-being. A brief discussion on well-being begins the chapter before an argument for the connection between autonomy and well-being is presented. This chapter also outlines the unique place the self-respect conception has in well-being, holding that other conceptions of autonomy do not fit into well-being in the same way.

The fourth chapter, “Classic Versions of Sleeping Beauty,” considers three versions of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale: “Sun, Moon, and Talia” by Gaimbattista Basile, “The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood” by Charles Perrault, and “Little Briar Rose” by the Grimm Brothers. This chapter applies the three conceptions of autonomy rejected in chapter one along with the self-respect conception to each tale. A consideration on what these different portrayals of autonomy convey to the audience is included.

The fifth and final chapter, “Modern Versions of Sleeping Beauty,” considers three modern retellings of the tale: Sleeping Beauty film by Walt Disney Productions, Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley, and Once Upon a Dream: A Twisted Tale by Liz Braswell. How each tale portrays the self-respect conception of autonomy is considered. A further discussion on how these portrayals compare to those of the classic versions is also included.

Advisor

Eager, Claire

Second Advisor

Thomson, Garrett

Department

English; Philosophy

Keywords

autonomy, agency, fairy tales, Sleeping Beauty

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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