The concept of heteronomy was developed by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who contrasted it with autonomy. Kant argued that only autonomous actions, based on the universal moral law that one gives to oneself, can be truly moral. Heteronomous actions, on the other hand, are nonmoral or immoral, because they depend on contingent factors, such as consequences, inclinations, or commands. Kant believed that human beings have a natural tendency to act heteronomously, but they have a duty to overcome this and act autonomously.
Heteronomy can also be applied to social and political contexts, where it refers to the situation of being ruled or governed by others, without having a say or a choice in the matter. For example, a colonized people or a minority group may experience heteronomy, as they are subject to the laws and norms of a dominant power. Heteronomy can also be seen as a cultural and spiritual condition, when traditional values and beliefs become rigid and oppressive, and prevent individuals from developing their own creativity and identity.
Heteronomy is often criticized as a source of alienation, injustice, and violence, and contrasted with autonomy as a value and a goal. However, some thinkers have also challenged the idea that autonomy is always preferable or possible, and have argued that heteronomy can have positive aspects, such as solidarity, community, and responsibility. Heteronomy can also be seen as a recognition of the limits and interdependence of human existence, and a way of acknowledging the role of others in shaping one's self.
