autonomy
The state of being able to decide and act for yourself, without other people telling you what to do.
The state or right of an individual to make their own choices and act according to their own values and interests, without being controlled by others.
The situation when a region, group, or organization can make its own rules and plans, without full control from a higher power or government.
The right or condition of a region, group, or institution to govern itself and make its own decisions, rather than being controlled directly by a more central authority.
The ability of a machine or system to work and decide by itself, without a person controlling every action.
The ability of a machine, system, or software to perform tasks and make certain decisions on its own, with little or no direct human control.
- Base: autonomy
- Plural: autonomies, autonomy
a degree of autonomy
1some amount of independence
Some, but not total, freedom to make your own decisions or control your own work.
- Teachers are given a degree of autonomy in how they design their lessons.
- The software agent has a degree of autonomy, but humans still review major decisions.
autonomy of the will
1self-legislating moral will
A philosophy idea that a person’s will follows rules it gives itself, not just rules from outside, when choosing what is right or wrong.
- Kant’s ethics is built on the idea of the autonomy of the will.
- Some philosophers argue that true responsibility requires autonomy of the will.
bodily autonomy
1control over one’s own body
The right of a person to make decisions about their own body, such as medical treatment, sex, or pregnancy, without pressure from others.
- The campaign focuses on bodily autonomy and the importance of consent.
- Doctors must respect patients’ bodily autonomy when discussing treatment options.
grant autonomy
1give someone the right to self-rule
To give someone or some group the official power to make their own decisions, without as much control from a higher authority.
- The central government agreed to grant autonomy to the northern provinces.
- The manager decided to grant more autonomy to the team leaders.
learner autonomy
1students’ control over their learning
When students take responsibility for their own learning, for example by choosing tasks, planning study time, and checking their own progress.
- Online courses can support learner autonomy by offering flexible paths and resources.
- The teacher used project work to encourage learner autonomy in the language classroom.
limited autonomy
1restricted or partial independence
A situation where someone or a group can make some decisions alone, but many important rules still come from others.
- The region has only limited autonomy and must follow national tax laws.
- Interns have limited autonomy and need approval for most tasks.
local autonomy
1self-rule at local level
The power of towns, cities, or local areas to make their own rules and plans, not just follow orders from the national government.
- The reform aims to strengthen local autonomy in education and health services.
- Many mayors argue that local autonomy leads to more effective policies.
personal autonomy
1an individual’s independent self-rule
A person’s right and ability to make their own choices about their life and body, without others deciding for them.
- Therapy can help people rebuild personal autonomy after a controlling relationship.
- The school’s rules try to balance safety with students’ personal autonomy.
political autonomy
1self-government in politics
The power of a region or group to make its own political rules and decisions, instead of being fully controlled by a central government.
- The peace agreement guarantees political autonomy for the area’s ethnic minority.
- Many activists are calling for greater political autonomy rather than full independence.
professional autonomy
1independence in professional decisions
The freedom that professionals, like doctors or teachers, have to use their own judgment at work without too much interference.
- Nurses are asking for greater professional autonomy in clinical decision-making.
- Too many rules can reduce teachers’ professional autonomy in the classroom.