Taking Raz Seriously: On the Value of Autonomy and its Relation to Private Law

Oxford Studies in Private Law Theory Volume II (2022)

20 Pages Posted: 21 Jul 2022

See all articles by J.E. Penner

J.E. Penner

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Faculty of Law

Date Written: June 30, 2022

Abstract

In this chapter I raise some general considerations about the relevance of Raz’s theory of autonomy to private law. I hope to show that Raz’s theory of autonomy meshes pretty seamlessly with what I shall call a Kantian instrumentalist account of private law, pointing out an aspect of his theory which I don’t think has been given sufficient attention, that is, the ‘independence’ condition for autonomy. I shall then provide reasons for proceeding with caution if we aim to show that private law gives effect to the ‘range of options’ condition for autonomy Raz identifies. I shall turn to Dagan’s and Heller’s conception of autonomy, distinguish it from Raz’s, and raise some questions about its nature and effectiveness in explaining private law.

Keywords: autonomy, private law, Raz

Suggested Citation

Penner, James, Taking Raz Seriously: On the Value of Autonomy and its Relation to Private Law (June 30, 2022). Oxford Studies in Private Law Theory Volume II (2022), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4150144 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4150144

James Penner (Contact Author)

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Faculty of Law ( email )

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Singapore, 259776
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