Formula of Autonomy

E84439

The Formula of Autonomy is a key Kantian moral principle that grounds ethical duties in the rational agent’s capacity to legislate universal moral law for themselves.

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Statements (37)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Kantian moral principle
formulation of the categorical imperative
principle in deontological ethics
principle in moral philosophy
aimsAt grounding duties in rational self-legislation
centralTo Kantian ethics
contrastsWith heteronomy of the will
describedIn Critique of Practical Reason
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals
emphasizes independence of morality from external authorities
self-legislation of universal law
formulatedBy Immanuel Kant
groundsIn capacity for self-legislation
practical reason
rational agency
hasCoreIdea moral obligation arises from the will’s own rational legislation
rational agents legislate universal moral law for themselves
hasKeyConcept autonomy of the will
legislation of universal law
moral self-governance
hasNormativeStatus supreme principle of morality
historicalPeriod 18th-century philosophy
influences contemporary debates on autonomy
contemporary deontological theories
languageOfOriginalFormulation German
opposes moral theories based on external rewards and punishments
moral theories based on inclination
philosophicalTradition German Enlightenment
presupposes capacity for rational deliberation
freedom of the will
relatedTo Formula of Humanity
Formula of Universal Law
kingdom of ends
surface form: Kingdom of Ends formulation
requires respect for oneself as a rational lawgiver
universalizability of maxims
usedToJustify moral duties
respect for persons as rational agents

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

categorical imperative hasFormulation Formula of Autonomy
Formula of Humanity relatedTo Formula of Autonomy