Educational reciprocity and developing autonomy

the social dimension of becoming oneself

pp. 29-54

in: Becoming oneself, Berlin, Springer, 2012

Abstract

When we take a look at studies done on autonomy, in education and in training, we quickly realize that the idea is as ambiguous as it is hard to define. The ultimate in self-referentiality, in Gaston Pineau's formula, the very etymology of autonomy refers to the ability to "define for oneself one's own laws". However, autonomy cannot be reduced to self-sufficiency; being autonomous does not simply mean getting by without others. In terms of education, Legendre actually defines it this way.