Autonomy

Autonomy, autonomous… what does it mean?

From the wikipedia;

“Autonomy (Greek: Auto-Nomos – nomos meaning “law”: one who gives oneself his/her own law) is the right to self-government. Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political, and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it refers to the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, uncoerced decision. In moral and political philosophy, autonomy is often used as the basis for determining moral responsibility for one’s actions. One of the best known philosophical theories of autonomy was developed by Kant. In medicine, respect for the autonomy of patients is an important goal for doctors and other health-care professionals, though it can conflict with a competing ethical principle, beneficence. Politically, it is also used to refer to the self-governing of a people.”

Got it?

Each group should be autonomous. I take this to mean that, as a group, we make our own decisions and are able to “run” our groups as we see fit. That is, unless we step outside reasonable boundaries doing something that can harm our neighboring groups which would be “AA as a whole.”

For example, two groups have simultaneous meetings in the same area within close proximity, drawing members from the same folks. Close enough where an attitude develops because one group is suffering financially from lack of money and membership. The group that is short of members decides to go on a recruitment drive.

Use your imagination. How would they do that and isn’t that really the wrong thing to do? They would be trying to draw members away from the other group, hurting them in turn.

I’m not talking about groups on different sides of town. I’m relating to groups very close to each other, groups that might have been formed out of resentment. It happens. And it’s just an example.

I believe it leads to things like anniversaries every week at one group. Hearing “circuit speakers” at one group constantly. Dinners and dances in inordinate numbers. Flyers handed out. All of which is promotion instead of attraction yet it is an attitude problem to start with. It’s called ego and pride. It is old behavior.

Here’s the basis;

“In ethics, autonomy refers to a person’s capacity for self-determination in the context of moral choices. Kant argued that autonomy is demonstrated by a person who decides on a course of action out of respect for moral duty. That is, an autonomous person acts morally solely for the sake of doing “good”, independently of other incentives.”

Substitute “group” for “person.”