RECONCILING LIBERAL AUTONOMY WITH COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY: A FRAMEWORK FOR ETHICAL OCCUPATIONAL CHOICE IN MODERN SOCIETIES

Samenvatting

The liberal ideal of occupational choice, which emphasizes individual autonomy and the pursuit of personal preferences, often overlooks the moral and social dimensions of work. This paper explores the tension between liberal commitments to individual freedom and the ethical imperative to address collective needs through occupational choice. Drawing on the distinction between I-mode (individualistic) and we-mode (collective) reasoning, I argue that the current liberal paradigm fails to recognize and respect the sacrifices of strongly pro-social workers—those who prioritize social necessity over personal aspirations. This failure constitutes a distinctive moral wrong, as it undermines the recognitional respect owed to individuals who contribute to the common good at significant personal cost. To address this issue, I propose a framework that reconciles liberal autonomy with collective responsibility by fostering a social ethos that guides occupational choice toward the common good. This framework incorporates two key strategies: (1) mandatory public service to instill a sense of shared responsibility, and (2) the redesign of occupational structures to integrate social utility into all career paths. While these measures challenge traditional liberal commitments, they are necessary to ensure that the sacrifices of pro-social workers are rationalized, recognized, and respected within a just society. The paper also examines the tensions between this framework and core liberal principles, such as pluralism and individual autonomy. By drawing on the work of G.A. Cohen, Raimo Tuomela, and Philip Pettit, I argue that a balance can be struck between fostering a collective ethos and preserving liberal freedoms. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader discourse on social justice by offering a normative framework for occupational choice that honors both individual autonomy and collective responsibility in modern societies.