1. Plural of heteronomy; the state or condition of being subject to external laws or the authority of another; lack of autonomy.
Usage: Philosophy, ethics, and political theory; Contrasts with autonomy
2. In Kantian philosophy, the determination of the will by external factors rather than by reason or moral law; moral action based on inclination or external constraint rather than duty.
Usage: Philosophy, Kantian ethics

Examples

• The philosopher argued that heteronomies undermine genuine moral agency.
• Kant distinguished between autonomy and heteronomies in his ethical theory.
• Colonial heteronomies imposed external legal systems on indigenous populations.
• The student's heteronomies—dependence on parental guidance—gradually diminished as she matured.
• In Kantian terms, acting from fear of punishment represents a heteronomy rather than true moral action.
• Political theorists debate whether social contracts eliminate heteronomies or merely redistribute them.