Are We Autonomous or Heteronomous?

Comparing the two notions to understand freedom.

October 26, 2004

Another Defination of Freedom: A broad defination that considers the role of the liberal state in protecting freedom.

Considering Freedom: This essay considers the different between liberal and conservative freedoms.

Exploring the Defination of Freedom: Yet another more extensive look at what freedom likely is, and what it is not.

Marxist Freedom: Looking at oppression through power of the insitution.

President Bush's Freedom: Why our President's notions of freedom are wrong.

What Does Freedom Mean Today?: A short essay describing four different types of activities that Andrew sees as representing freedom in modern society.

What is the Nature of Freedom?: A comparison of positive and negative freedom in society.

Words of Freedom: Thoughts on the limitations of freedom and life.

Are We Autonomous or Heteronomous?

The table below compares and contrasts the notion of heteronomy versus autonomy in an attempt to understand what freedom is for the individual, and how to make sense of the limits in the environment around us.

Heteronomous Individual

Limited with the constraints of the current environment
Only can choose actions based on current experience
Responsible freedom strictly limited in one particular social location
Many things are impossible in the world that your currently in

To escape heteronomy you must think beyond this limited world
Difficult or impossible to change environment in the short term

Autonomous Individual

The individual ultimately chooses his social location through action or interaction
The individual can reform any environment through responsible methods

Reform through leadership roles (reforming the social environment)
Becoming an elected official or campaigning for a candidate.

Reform through exploiting technology and knowledge to change the environment

Plowing the ground and planting seed to raise crops

Note This is a work in progress. My ideas on what makes up freedom will inevitably change as I change as an individual, and the world changes.