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Virginia Tech

Self-respect and The Obligation to Resist Oppression

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

In this paper, I will argue against the position of Carol Hay, who asserts that the oppressed have an obligation against oppression and that the bare minimum of this obligation is to resist internally. I will demonstrate that resisting internally leaves space for the oppressed to affirm the oppressors' false beliefs. Affirming the oppressor's false belief causes the oppressed person to disrespect themself. In order to understand why we must first understand what things contribute to our self-respect. Our ability to respect ourselves depends on many factors, but I will focus on two specifically. The first is our internal/self-image; this is how we see ourselves. The second is our external image; this is how we think people see us. One way we can disrespect ourselves is by causing conflict between these two elements, which undermines our self-respect. Hay's account is grounded on the oppressed person respecting themself. Therefore, if an oppressed person can disrespect themself while meeting the bare requirements of the duty to resist oppression, then we need to reconsider the bare minimum of the obligation to resist oppression.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Philosophy
Department dc:contributor.department
Philosophy
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2022

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Dixon, Kordell
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • MacKenzie, Jordan
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Yaure, Philip Christopher
  • Hersch, Gil

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:34507
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/110833

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Dixon, Kordell. Self-respect and The Obligation to Resist Oppression. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/110833