Heteronomy

Heteronomy is a state of being influenced by an outside force, or the condition of being ruled by another. It can also refer to the belief that one’s moral choices are influenced by outside sources. 

Here are some examples of heteronomy:

• Military occupation: A state of being ruled by another power
• Children and game rules: Young children may believe that game rules are fixed and cannot be changed, even if everyone agrees 
• Children and adults: Young children may believe that adults have moral authority and must be followed 
• Education: The transmission of knowledge and values from one generation to the next 

Heteronomy is the opposite of autonomy, which means self-rule. In philosophy, heteronomy is a moral philosophy that is the antithesis of autonomy. Immanuel Kant considered actions influenced by an outside force to be nonmoral. 

The word heteronomy comes from the Greek words hetero, meaning “other”, and nomos, meaning “law”.