In spite of its frequent misuse, autonomy is not a philosophy, it is not a political movement, or even a political viewpoint. Autonomy is an essential human characteristic. Like it or not, every man is autonomous.
Autonomy means self-rule, but it means more than that.
It means that everything one does is self-determined. It means that no matter what hereditary traits one is born with, no matter what environmental conditions influenced them, no matter what feelings, desires, or passions they experience, what they do is determined by what they choose. Heredity and environment provide the resources and determine the limits that define the field of choices one has at any moment, but cannot determine the choice. The feelings, desires, and passions will affect one's tastes and preferences, what an individual will or will not find enjoyable, but can never determine a choice. Autonomy is not an option, for man, it is his very nature.