The Challenges of Political Autonomy in Paul Ricoeur's Thought

This essay seeks to shed light on the political philosophy of Paul Ricoeur, which revolves around the dialectics between freedom and power. More specifically, the political relevance of the concept of autonomy in Ricoeur’s thought will be assessed by addressing three issues: first, the concept of personal autonomy between independence and initiative; second, the concept of autonomy as “power-with”, according to which personal autonomy is achieved only by means of collective action; third, the autonomy of the political bodies, of institutions and their symbols.