REDEFINING AUTONOMY IN CHRONIC ILLNESS: IDENTITY, NECESSITY, AND THE PATH TO RELATIONAL SELF

From a philosophical perspective, chronic illnesses confront patients with unique existential and moral challenges, among which issues related to personal identity are especially pronounced. Due to the impossibility of ‘definitively’ curing patients (i.e., eliminating the illness), chronic conditions force patients to re-examine their daily lives, existence, and identity. This thesis aims to highlight that reframing the discourse on autonomy using broader philosophical coordinates than those typically employed in clinical practice can provide chronic patients with useful conceptual tools. In other words, the goal is to establish a robust conceptual foundation that serves as fertile ground for patients to cultivate their coping strategies. The thesis seeks to outline a philosophical framework that lends strength and legitimacy to individual approaches.