Autonomy

Au·ton·o·my

Autonomy

n.
  1. The power or right of self-government; self-government, or political independence, of a city or a state.
  2. The sovereignty of reason in the sphere of morals; or man's power, as possessed of reason, to give law to himself. In this, according to Kant, consist the true nature and only possible proof of liberty. (Metaph.)