Abstract

Developmental psychology and personality theory offer explanations of the development of autonomy that focus primarily on how the person becomes capable of acting on his or her own. Unlike developmental theory, however, the Church finds the key to development not in self-centeredness, but in submission and docility.In traditional Catholic thought, man finds freedom in the ultimate intimacy, that of union with the Trinity. Our reason serves our freedom, supporting our growing capacity to discern God’s will and surrender to it, as well as the growing capacity to discern God’s will in submissive service to loved ones. Cooperation withGod’s free gift of grace enables this development. The Holy Father distinguishes this autonomy from heteronomy, which is obedience to laws that are unrelated to human good. Moral autonomy, on the other hand, represents a “participated theonomy” or our willful participation in Divine Providence, through the right use of natural reason and submission to divine revelation. Moral autonomy defines human freedom.