La autonomía como producción de sujetos ilustrados

Abstract

This article addresses a study of autonomy in the thought of Immanuel Kant and the importance it has for enlightened subjects. It also presents a practical ethical application of the Kantian concept of autonomy in its moral ideal along with its formulations and implications for current reality. Altogether, it is also intended to examine whether heteronomy fulfills an ethical function in contemporary contexts. The methodology used was a hermeneutical process of the texts of Kant and other bibliographic references such as scientific articles and theses that pose the discussion about Kantian ethics focused on autonomy and heteronomy directed at imperatives. These bibliographic references are current and come from university publications. Understanding autonomy is complex, therefore, making a clear distinction with heteronomy is fundamental, because enlightened subjects are formed through their freedom, their reason, and this in turn revolves around ethical implications. The categorical imperative arises from the use of reason to guide the actions of the subjects, reaching the age of majority, which in Kant's terms is to leave laziness and cowardice, consequently, to emancipate oneself from the comfort of being governed by their tutors and being able to take their own decisions based on their reason and freedom. Therefore, autonomy does produce enlightened subjects.