Plunge of the Dagger

Many of the posts here seem focused on the argument between the existence of a difference between republicanism and liberalism. I assume this will be a point of major discussion in class, so I feel it prudent to highlight more of Chapter 3. Dagger bases the argument concerning the proposed right of autonomy upon Hart's article, "Are There Any Natural Rights?" In essence, I believe Dagger argued thus: Autonomy and ability to choose are synonymous in the fact that we would be unable to make choices if we did not have some degree of autonomy. However, the autonomy Dagger refers to holds greater weight than the free choice Hart refers to. Autonomy is used, instead of free choice, because entering into promises not only means we are choosing to do so--we are also creating self-imposed limits which are indicative of a right to self-governance, or autonomy. Therefore, Dagger concludes we may be able to derive the right of autonomy from that of the right to free choice. In examining Hart's article for my first paper, I didn't entertain any right was able to be built off of Hart's original natural right, but I believe Dagger has an interesting argument here in attempting to do just that. It will be interesting to see if Dagger is able to maintain a successful stance during class discussion/later chapters.