autonomy

Autonomy refers to the capacity of an agent to make informed, self-directed decisions and to govern one's own actions. In philosophy, it is often understood as rational self-governance by one’s own rules or values, rather than being determined by external forces. In everyday language, autonomy denotes independence from external control or coercion.

The term comes from the Greek auto meaning “self” and nomos meaning “law.” It has been used in moral and political philosophy to describe the ability to set and follow one’s own laws, and it is frequently contrasted with heteronomy, where actions are guided by external constraints or authorities.

Political and social autonomy covers both collective governance and individual rights. In government, autonomy describes a jurisdiction’s power to determine internal matters, subject to overarching constitutional limits. On an individual level, autonomy includes personal autonomy in healthcare (such as informed consent and body autonomy), education, and cultural or religious practices, within the bounds of law and public welfare.

Technological autonomy refers to systems that operate with reduced or no human input, such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, and autonomous decision-support in software. Core concerns include safety, accountability, transparency, and the ability to intervene when behavior is undesirable or unsafe.

Ethical and practical debates around autonomy balance the value of self-determination with considerations of welfare, vulnerability, and responsibility. Questions arise about when autonomy should be limited, how to ensure informed and voluntary consent, and how autonomous technologies affect social equality and justice.