Autonomy vs. Heteronomy: Limitation and Freedom of Good Will

Conclusion:

Autonomy explains the inner rational determination of the will, whereas heteronomy is dependent on external factors.

Premises:

1.  Good will is absolutely good and cannot be evil (44/443-444)

a.     Rational nature has an end, which would be the matter of good will.

b.     Good will is good without any qualifying condition for attaining the end.

c.     The end of happiness must exist independently.

2.  Autonomy is the property that the will has to be a law to itself, or independent of any property.

a.     The will is the driving force through which the maxim or the rule of a certain action can become the universal law.

b.     Autonomy reveals the freedom of the will.

c.     The acceptable principle of morality produces the autonomy of the will.

  3. The heteronomy is the limitation of the will to follow a law other than itself when seeking a purpose in an object. (45/444-446)

a.     The object will give the will the law through its relation.

b.     This relation will only admit hypothetical imperatives such as “I ought to do something because I will something else.”

c.     Heteronomy of the will produces spurious principles of morality.

4.   Principles of morality are either empirical or rational. (46/442)

a.     Empirical principles serve as the foundation of right action.

b.     These principles are based on the depending facts of human nature and the liable circumstances.

c.     Rational principles rise from reason instead of feeling and provide a natural concept of perfection.

d.     These principles of perfection are those of one’s happiness of the will.

e.     Good will must have principles that are independent universal laws.

f.      Therefore if morality is a categorical imperative, or a ethical law, autonomy of the will is true and necessary.