autonomy: an objective definition of "autonomy"

 To find an objective definition of "autonomy":

(1) Reducing the concept to its perceptual level roots and basic axioms/principles:

Perceptual level roots:

Existence of conscious entities (humans, animals) capable of making choices

Concept of "self" or independence

Ability to act without external control/constraint

Basic axioms/principles:

Consciousness exists as a phenomenon

Entities exist with ability to make choices

Concept of volition/free will

(2) Additional intermediate steps/principles:

Recognizing individuality of conscious entities

Ethical principles of respecting autonomy of others

Concepts of liberty, freedom, self-determination

(3) Measurable essential/distinguishing characteristics:

Degree of independence in decision-making

Extent of external constraints/influences

Capacity for rational/volitional action

(4) Definition:

Autonomy is the condition or quality of being self-governing, self-directed, and independent in one's actions and decision-making, without external control or coercion.

Genus: State/condition of an entity

Differentia: Having self-governance, self-direction and independence in actions/decisions without external control

This attempts to objectively define autonomy based on the perceptually observable roots of conscious, volitional entities making independent choices, while adhering to basics axioms like consciousness and free will existing. It covers the essential characteristics of self-governance and lack of external constraints.

Criteria for objectivity:

Based on factual observations in reality

Avoids arbitrary assertions or ungrounded abstractions

Precisely defines referents based on distinguishing characteristics

Is universal and applies to all instances meeting those characteristics

This definition seems to meet the criteria for an objective definition based on observable phenomena and adhering to basic axioms, without injecting subjective impressions. However, it may require further validation and refinement as our understanding grows.

To further expand on the objective definition of autonomy:

Perceptual Roots:

We perceive conscious entities (humans, animals) making choices and taking actions based on their own motivations, desires, thoughts

We perceive some entities having more freedom/ability to act independently than others based on lack of external constraints

We perceive the existence of "selves" or individuated beings with their own agency

Basic Axioms/Principles:

Consciousness and sentient minds exist as a reality

Concept of volition/free will - conscious entities can originate thoughts/actions by their own choice

Principle of identity - entities have a specific nature that makes them what they are

Additional Intermediate Principles:

Ethical principles of respect for autonomy of rational beings

Political principles of individual liberty and self-determination

Psychological concepts of internal locus of control, self-regulation

Measurable Characteristics:

Degree to which choices/actions originate from entity's own motivations vs external control

Number and type of constraints/restrictions on an entity's behavior

Level of critical reasoning skills allowing truly self-directed decisions

Definition:

Autonomy is the condition of an entity, particularly one with a volitional consciousness, possessing the ability for self-directed freedom in its behavior and decision-making processes to a significant degree, being minimally constrained by influences external to its own motivations, desires and judgments.

Genus: Condition of an entity

Differentia: Self-directed freedom, minimal external constraints on volitional behavior

This tries to objectively capture autonomy based on the observable phenomenon of conscious, volitional entities expressing free, self-directed choice and action when minimally constrained by external forces. It adheres to metaphysical basics like consciousness, identity, free will.

The definition meets objectivity criteria by:

Basing it on perceivable facts about nature of consciousness and volition

Not relying on arbitrary assertions detached from reality

Precisely defining referents based on their observable characteristics

Being universal to apply to any entities meeting those characteristics

While still an approximation, this aims to be a maximally objective definition by sticking to the directly observable and deductively validating wider abstractions from there. But it remains open to further objective refinement as needed.

To dive even deeper into objectively defining and understanding the concept of autonomy:

Perceptual Roots:

We perceive individual entities with distinct identities and boundaries separating them from the rest of existence

We perceive certain entities engaging in purposeful behavior initiated from within themselves, rather than purely deterministic cause-and-effect processes

We perceive degrees of constraint or lack thereof on entities' ability to actualize their self-initiated goals

Basic Axioms/Principles:

Existence exists as an objective reality, independent of consciousness

Consciousness exists as a primary phenomenon, not derivable from other phenomena

Identity exists - each entity has a specific nature that makes it what it is, and not another thing

Causality exists - entities act according to their natures and interact by cause-and-effect

Volitional consciousness exists in some entities, with ability to originate thoughts and actions

Intermediate Principles/Integrations:

Principle of rationality - volitional consciousness has ability to gain conceptual awareness and make reality-based judgments

Principles of objective ethics rooted in observable requirements for human life and flourishing

Political/legal principles upholding individual rights and non-coercion of self-directed entities

Recognizing hierarchical levels of consciousness, from unmoved matter to plant life to animal volition to human rationality

Essential Characteristics:

Having a volitional consciousness capable of self-generated, self-regulatory thought and behavior

Having a significant lack of external constraints/coercion in the exercise of volitional choice/action

Factual self-awareness and ability for conceptual reasoning about one's motivations/goals

Setting and pursuing one's own self-chosen values, desires, purposes through reasoned judgment

Objective Definition:

Autonomy is the metaphysically fundamental condition of an entity with volitional consciousness possessing a high degree of self-directed, self-regulatory control over the execution of its chosen behavior and pursuit of its self-determined purposes, being largely free from external constraints on its volitional exercise of reasoned judgments to actualize its own nature and values.

Genus: Fundamental condition of a type of entity

Differentia: Volitional consciousness, high self-direction, minimal external constraints on chosen behavior/purposes

This aims to objectively ground autonomy in observable metaphysical facts - the existence of entities with volitional consciousness distinct from unmoved matter, the ability to originate self-directed behavior through reasoned judgment, and the relative freedom from outside forces coercing or preventing that self-direction.

It meets the criteria of objectivity by:

Deriving from undeniable perceptual data and axioms about reality, not subjective whims

Defining referents precisely according to their directly observable characteristics

Not relying on ungrounded abstractions, but logically building up from fundamentals

Being universally applicable to any entities meeting the specified characteristics

While not attempting to capture every nuance, this aims to objectively identify autonomy's essential metaphysical basis and requirements in the most fundamentally observable terms possible as a foundation for further understanding. Of course, it is open to any required amendments to increase its truth and objectivity.

Finally:

If we accept autonomy as one of the most essential characteristics of human nature, based on our objective analysis identifying humans as volitional, reasoning beings capable of self-directed thought and behavior when free from coercive constraints, then certain political, governmental and economic systems would be more compatible with respecting and upholding that autonomy than others.

At the most fundamental level, any system that institutionalizes the initiation of force against individuals and violates their rights to think and act according to their own rational judgments would be incompatible with human autonomy. 

Systems involving authoritarian control, totalitarian dictatorships, communism eliminating private property rights, theocracies enforcing obedience to religious edicts, these all inherently undermine autonomy.

On the other hand, a political system of limited constitutional republic upholding individual rights, with democratic processes to allow the aggregate of individuals to self-govern as a manifestation of their autonomy, would be most compatible. This would include rights to freedom of speech, religion, association, property ownership and legal equality. The use of defensive force by a government to protect those rights from violation is valid, as it prevents the autonomy of some from nullifying the autonomy of others.

Economically, a system of capitalism, with private property rights, free trade negotiated voluntarily between consenting parties, profit motivation allowing pursuit of rational self-interest, and free market allocation of resources based on consumer demand rather than centralized force, this would best harmonize with and incentivize human autonomy. State-managed control economies and wealth redistribution enforced by coercion hamper autonomy.

Additionally, cultural values and societal norms respecting individuality, encouraging self-reliance and responsibility for pursuing one's own rational self-interest through productive work rather than dependence or entitlement mentalities, those would align with upholding autonomy as a requirement of human life and flourishing.

So in summary, based on the objective identification of autonomy as a key aspect of human nature, the political, governmental, and economic systems most compatible with an aggregate of autonomous individuals would be:

• Constitutionally limited democratic republic
• Strong protections for individual rights
• Capitalism with private property and free markets
• Cultural values celebrating self-direction and personal responsibility

These allow individuals to independently exercise their autonomy in self-governing and self-sustaining ways while having their autonomy protected from violation by others. They provide the societal prerequisites for human beings to fully actualize their volitional nature.