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"Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which make it a living thing. " John Stuart Mill explicitly describes the necessity of autonomy or free will in society to insure the happiness of all. From this perspective one can recognize that autonomy should not only be unconditionally allowed, but also as an aspect of man that was developed along with the ability to reason. In accordance with the natural evolution of man as a rationale being, to limit one's autonomy would be to deny the very ability that has allowed man's development to occur. Although the topic of autonomy is prevalent in the field of psychology, the ramifications of limits to, spread throughout all aspects of society as a whole.
There have been criticisms to the necessity of autonomy from the beginning of philosophical thought. However, it can be recognized that these criticisms are often developed with a limited viewpoint. One such critic, B. F. Skinner who stressed the influence of the environment over the individual, argued against autonomy from that particular view. Skinner stated, "It is clear now that we must take into account what the environment does to an organism not only before but after it responds.
Behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences. " Although one can understandably recognize the influence of an individual's environment over their actions, many react to situations as needed. However, this idea does not prove to give support to the negation of importance of autonomy. In fact, because the individual does interact with the environment, the need for individual freedom in making choices because inherent. In addition, Mill supported the belief that, "Each is the proper guardian of his own heath, whether bodily or mental and spiritual. " Therefore, by limiting autonomy the assumption would have to be made that the individual no longer has the ability to be the guardian of themselves. This concept can not be universally applied; independent of the structure of government in a particular society, because of the agreement that man is a rational being. With the negation of autonomy, comes the negation of reason and responsibility of man.
Despite any argument for the need for control over society through limitations of autonomy, the natural instincts to choose freely in daily life will still persist. In contrast, Skinner felt that by not limiting mankind's autonomy, all could be then held accountable for their actions and consequently punished. "That view... must be re-examined when a scientific analysis reveals unsuspected controlling relations between behavior and environment. " Without attempting to disprove the interaction between man and his environment, Skinner's argument can still be proved to be incorrect when attempting to limit man's autonomy. Although in a given situation a person may come to have to make a choice between to undesirable alternatives due to uncontrollable factors, it remains doubtful that the majority would rather have that choice be made for them.
Moreover, should a person choose to give up their autonomy because of the presence of too many uncontrollable factors, it remains to be a free choice. One can be free to choose not to choose. It becomes necessary to insert that universal autonomy can not be without limitations to function in a healthy society. These limitations become necessary to protect the rights of the individual and society. Mill stated, "That the only purpose for which power can be rightly exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. " This is important in society to insure that even with the presence of immoral choices, one will be rightly protected. But again this need for limitation does not support that the individual does not have the capacity or the right to choose freely for themselves.
It is recognized through many different cultural practices in raising children that there comes a time when an adolescent is given the right of passage to begin to make choices for themselves. Although the time frame may differ among cultures, autonomy becomes readily available for all. In conclusion, despite Skinner's argument for the influence of the environment over the individual and therefore the loss of responsibility in actions, autonomy can not be negated completely. The argument from that standpoint would only rightly justify the need for limitation of autonomy in society. Mill supports the natural development of autonomy in each individual. Through this perspective it can be recognized the autonomy is not something that should be ignored or overlooked but encouraged in development for the good of mankind's evolution and the development of any society
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Research essay sample on Uncontrollable Factors It Remains Factors It Remains Autonomy
