This collection investigates whether the concept of individual autonomy can be reconciled with feminist critiques that view it as inherently masculinist. The editors, Catriona Mackenzie and Natalie Stoljar, compile original essays from leading philosophers to argue that autonomy is fundamentally social and relational rather than atomistic. By examining how oppression impacts agency, the authors provide a framework that integrates self-conception, memory, and imagination into the broader understanding of moral responsibility.

Experts identify this collection as a foundational text for those studying the intersection of feminist theory and moral philosophy. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for scholars and advanced students of ethics.