Autonomy as a virtue: why being "your" self matters

[Carl-Richard]

When behavior is determined from the inside, that is autonomy. Autonomy is the basis of bodily integrity and mental stability. If you constrain a human to something they don't want to do, they will complain. If you constrain the movement of a dog, it will whine. If you constrain the movement of an amoeba, it will die. It goes straight down to our biology.

Homeostasis is the process of keeping the internal structures in line with its own wholeness, its own will, its own autonomy. An organism who acts in line with its own innate abilities and capacities, experiences maximum fitness, maximum mental stability, maximum feeling of pleasure and well-being. This is basis of Self-Determination Theory, a famous model of behavior, and also particularly Self-Actualization in Maslow's Hierachy of needs.

Certain notions can multiply or subtract your autonomy. A famous example is Andrew Tate's "depression doesn't exist". Even if you think it is blunt and prone to traps, it's an incredibly effective notion to have. As a notion that sits in your mind, it confers a strong basis of autonomy. I'm convinced very successful and powerful people gravitate towards these kinds of notions, and some have learned to use them very strategically and effectively to their advantage.

Now, if you are thinking about traps with this, there are (e.g. closing your mind to outside information, undermining checks for self-deception). But also notice that any virtue can be "corrupted" by a value system you deem to be lower than yours. "Balance is a virtue" -> proceeds doing charity work for the Jehova's Witnesses during the day and homicide at night. Or "holism is a virtue" -> proceeds to make "the whole world" into the Third Reich. Similarly, the idea of funneling autonomy down to egoism would be a particular value-laden interpretation (maybe Red). If your values are higher than those, your autonomy would be to act in line with those values (e.g. human rights, love, equality).

Autonomy (as well as other virtues) must therefore largely be seen as a virtue on the organism's or value system's own terms. Principles that are universal are also particular. Doing a pre-emptive strike on a country if you believe the country will destroy your country if you don't do it, will confer autonomy, emotional and mental stability, and not least bodily integrity to your country. A leader of a country who is naturally steeped in autonomy, will express this for their country. That is again not to say anything about the values of such countries. Their autonomy stands on their own terms.
 

So what is the take-away for someone who values self-development? Notice the values you have, what you feel compelled to do, what you like to do to, what excites you, and worship these things. Create and build notions that support these things, while also of course being aware of the traps that can occur while doing so. Express yourself, say what you mean, say what you think is right, not as an anti-social outburst or to be blunt for bluntness sake, but because you MEAN it. Say it because it comes from deep within your soul. Say it because you think it will create the right world to live in. Autonomy is nothing without autonomy support, and that's why this advice, this place and others that support you, and the world you want to create, matters.

Edited Tuesday at 09:02 PM by Carl-Richard

[samijiben]

Are you saying that I should like believe in my top values more and repeat them to myself in me head??

For example, one my top values is BRUTAL HONESTY!

Per your suggestion in the post, does it mean I should build a notion to support this? Idk how that works. Doesn't that obstruct the possibility of true, Brutal Honesty?

I'd really like you to give some examples here beyond Tate's "depression isn't real."

Because I intuit that you are presenting a potentially powerful model that will help my self-development. Just wan a get more clear on application, thanks.

[Carl-Richard]

@samijiben

Brutal honesty is itself a notion that can support your autonomy. But be careful that it doesn't impede any of your other values (i.e. be aware of the traps and nuances). Brutal honesty can often be used a cover for anti-social outbursts and impulsive, less than strategic behavior which you might regret in hindsight.

As for examples of notions for autonomy, they are often very particular to your life, and you'll get insights about them. One of mine is that "I need to be tormented to be motivated" is false (it's a notion I reject). A notion I embrace is "you don't need to do anything". It's good for reminding yourself that your being is always whole. It's also useful for noticing when I'm for example doing something on my phone while doing something else instead of doing it while being completely focused. That I'm not driven by an outside stimulus but rather my inner will.

Another interesting notion that I got from Leo is "you are creating everything". It's extremely mystical and all-pervading. Another one is "thoughts are just thoughts" (or "concepts are just concepts", "concepts are limited", or even "notions are limited"). It gives you a layer of meta-awareness and space to choose how to act. Notice that a lot of spirituality is about elevating autonomy.

But I'll stress again, be aware of traps and nuances when dealing with notions. A big trap is treating a notion absolutistically, or ironically ceeding your autonomy to it. Notions are more like small furniture decorations in your mind that create certain moods and states. And you should always be up to change some of the furniture, but be honest with which furniture you like and which you don't.

Use your sense when dealing with notions. Don't just take up a particular notion because I mentioned it. Your ability to choose and discriminate between notions is fundamental for your autonomy.

Edited Tuesday at 08:56 PM by Carl-Richard

[Carl-Richard]

There also many notions which you should consider dropping. A common notion for some people is "I'm an introvert". It's a notion you should generally drop in social situations. It will impede you. Another one is "I don't like having presentations, I tend to get nervous". That's a notion to drop before having a presentation.

You should also practice identifying and dropping all your notions. This is the apex of autonomy and allows a huge degree of choice.

And don't take the notion of dealing with notions absolutistically either. It's not everything. The notion of notions, just like other concepts in self-help, is just a tool and way to remind yourself of your own capacities and the potentials that exist within yourself. What we're doing here generally by communicating is reminding ourselves of what we're capable of and what we value. We're honing the limited frame of our ever-wandering attention.

Edited Tuesday at 08:58 PM by Carl-Richard

[samijiben]

@Carl-Richard thank you for taking the time to clarify

i have found that to be damn powerful in my experience

But I am still confused if it can be a trap

For instance, lets say I find myself in a situation where I feel social anxiety

Blood rushing, mind racing, palms sweating

So, I employ the notion of "I am projecting the concepts that give rise to my feeling of anxiety onto the situation before me that is by itself benevolent or at least ambiguous."

I tell myself that, and as a result, I loosen up a bit. Hojo earlier said "don't project your energy out, instead suck it in." That's another notion I like.

Anyways, let's say I employ such a notion by telling it to myself in me head, and it works, at least somewhat, as I loosen up on my anxiety. 

But then the anxiety reappears. I employ one of my favorite notions again, and again it works, but not as much. Then the anxiety returns again stronger, and when I try to use the notion this time, it barely has an effect.

Now I really need to abandon notions anf find a NEW way of resolving matters all together. Eventually the notions lose their potency, so you either have to create new notions, or just say fuck it and finish this post. Lol

Thanks CarL-Richard

[Carl-Richard]

@samijiben

Maybe there is a deeper notion you have to deal with that you haven't identified yet (likely one you have to drop). That's why investigating all your notions and dropping them as a practice is very useful. Using one notion as a crutch when there is another conflicting with it is not optimal. Also, often there is an actual problem to be solved, or you just need practice with a given situation. That anxiety must be avoided is also a notion (I'm not saying it's a good or a bad one).

Also, to use a very general notion ("all anxiety is just an appearance") to deal with a specific issue (anxiety in a particular situation) is often not optimal, which is why the anxiety might resurface. Say if you're anxious about doing a presentation, maybe the main fear is of not performing and looking like a fool. A good notion there could be to not care about your performance. Then the anxiety has no ground anymore. So good notions often track specifically to the situation.

And sometimes, maybe dealing with notions is not needed. Maybe you just need to go with the flow and take on things intuitively (which is itself a type of notion, but you get the point). Some problems cannot be solved by the conscious mind. Sometimes being, listening and feeling is all that is needed.

Edited Tuesday at 08:51 PM by Carl-Richard

[samijiben]

Lalalala thank you sir!