FRANKFURT'UN ÖZERKLİK ANLAYIŞINDA ÖZDEŞLEŞMENİN ROLÜ

Abstract

The concept of identity, emphasizing autonomy, is at the forefront of contemporary philosophical discourse. Harry Frankfurt, a well-known American philosopher, proposes a theory that outlines freedom as a critical component of autonomy, in which identification plays a crucial role. He argues that individuals have both primary desires and the capacity to form secondary desires shaped by introspection and reflect one's rationality. Stating that one of the main differences between humans and other living creatures lies in the structure of the person's will, Frankfurt's theory of free will is shaped around the concept of autonomy, in which individuals are seen as self-governing beings. According to Frankfurt, desires are the driving force behind human action. Still, individuals may not always want to be controlled by their desires, which can lead to feelings of detachment and disconnection. Frankfurt's work goes beyond traditional notions of freedom of action, illuminating the complex interplay of factors that influence human autonomy and character responsibility. While his perspective involves some challenges regarding character responsibility, his work sheds light on the complexity of human autonomy and the various factors that can influence it. In this article, the issue of personal autonomy is examined by focusing on the theoretical framework created by Harry Frankfurt. The study aims to rigorously examine the various elements of autonomy explained by contemporary philosophers while exploring Frankfurt's autonomy theory's primary, secondary and tertiary objectives. Thus, Frankfurt's hierarchical classification of "free will" was explained and the importance of identification in ensuring autonomy was evaluated.