There are different concepts of autonomy. One is
autonomy as free action—living completely
independently,freeofcoercionandlimitation.Thiskind
of freedom is a common battle cry. But it is, as Bill
ThomascametorealizeonhishomesteadinupstateNew
York,afantasy—heandhiswife,Jude,hadtwochildren
bornwithseveredisabilitiesrequiringlifelongcare,and
someday, illness, old age, or some other mishap will
leave him in need of assistance, too. Our lives are
inherentlydependentonothersandsubjecttoforcesand
circumstances well beyond our control. Having more
freedomseemsbetterthanhavingless.Buttowhatend?
Theamountoffreedomyouhaveinyourlifeisnotthe
measureof theworthofyour life.Justassafetyis an
empty and even self-defeating goal to live for, so
ultimately is autonomy.
Thelate,greatphilosopherRonaldDworkinrecognized
that there is a second, more compelling sense of
autonomy.Whateverthelimitsandtravailsweface,we
want to retain the autonomy—the freedom—to be the
authors ofourlives.This isthevery marrowofbeing
human.AsDworkinwroteinhisremarkable 1986 essay
on the subject, “The value of autonomy... lies in the
schemeofresponsibilityitcreates:autonomymakeseach
ofusresponsibleforshaping hisownlifeaccording to
some coherent and distinctive sense of character,
conviction,andinterest.Itallowsustoleadourownlives
ratherthanbeledalongthem,sothateachofuscanbe,to
theextentsuchaschemeofrightscanmakethispossible,
what he has made himself.”