autonomy of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "autonomy of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the ability to think independently and make one's own decisions without external influence. Example: "The philosophy course emphasized the importance of the autonomy of thought in developing critical thinking skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Védrine defines this consensus as "autonomy of decision" and "autonomy of thought".

The New York Times - Magazine

By the time Sarkozy became president in the spring of 2007, you couldn't see the autonomy of thought in Gaullism without a microscope.

The New York Times - Magazine

From Spaventa, whose intention was to vindicate the freedom and autonomy of thought against denominational dogmatism, was derived the foundation for the subjectivistic formalization of Hegelianism soon undertaken by Giovanni Gentile, an early 20th-century idealist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On the other hand, his defence of realism on the problem of universals is partially invalidated by his qualified acceptance of the nominalist principle of the autonomy of thought in relation to the world.

SEP

And we can implement an environment more conducive to imagination without compromising the basics, an environment where scientific, literary, or historical knowledge is combined with autonomy of thought. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Chief among those: rational problem solving, personal autonomy, independence of thought, avoidance of corporal punishment, a spirit of "questioning everything" and, far above all, empathy.

Los Angeles Times

Long-term studies at the University of Southern California, Pitzer College and Duke University have found that secular American families have deep moral values that include "rational problem solving, personal autonomy, independence of thought, avoidance of corporal punishment, a spirit of 'questioning everything' and, far above all, empathy".

Huffington Post

"I would love to figure out how we can build a loosely coupled network for progressives, so people can have autonomy and freedom of thought but work together in a crisis".

The Guardian - Tech

Mr Sell's brief to the Supreme Court follows this line of argument, making broad claims that the government's efforts to inject him with mind-altering drugs is such a breach of his rights to liberty, bodily integrity, freedom of thought, personal autonomy and privacy that it should not be allowed.In fact, the justices are likely to decide the case on much narrower grounds.

The Economist

Reflecting widespread narratives of dementia representing a devastating illness that progressively robs people of their dignity and autonomy, thoughts of the future were often characterized by anguish, fear, and hopelessness.

The Gerontologist

Instead of invoking Confucius, Liu wrote, intellectuals should be venerating "independence of thought and autonomy of person".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "autonomy of thought" when emphasizing the ability to form independent opinions and make decisions free from external coercion. It's especially fitting in philosophical, political, or educational contexts where intellectual independence is valued.

Common error

Don't use "autonomy of thought" interchangeably with freedom of expression. "Autonomy of thought" refers to the internal process of independent thinking, while freedom of expression concerns the external communication of those thoughts. While related, they aren't the same.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "autonomy of thought" is that of a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object within a sentence, referring to the concept of independent and self-governed thinking. Examples provided by Ludwig indicate its use in contexts concerning political philosophy and educational principles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "autonomy of thought" signifies the ability to think independently and form one's own opinions, free from external coercion. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts, predominantly appearing in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "intellectual independence" or "freedom of thought" offer nuanced variations, "autonomy of thought" is best suited for formal discussions emphasizing the importance of self-governed intellectual processes. Remember to use it accurately, distinguishing it from mere freedom of expression. Overall, while not extremely common, its specific connotation makes it a valuable term in philosophical, political, and educational contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

freedom of thought

Emphasizes the liberty to form one's own ideas and opinions.

intellectual freedom

Synonymous to freedom of thought, stresses the absence of constraints on intellectual pursuits.

cognitive autonomy

Mirrors the original phrase but focuses on cognitive processes.

independent thinking

Highlights the act of forming thoughts without external influence.

freedom of intellect

Focuses on the unrestricted capacity to use one's intellect.

intellectual independence

Focuses more on the freedom from external intellectual control.

thinking for oneself

A more informal way to express independent thought processes.

cognitive liberty

Implies a right to control one's own mind and mental processes.

intellectual sovereignty

Suggests supreme authority over one's own intellect and ideas.

self-determination of thought

Emphasizes the power to decide one's own thoughts and beliefs.

FAQs

How can I use "autonomy of thought" in a sentence?

You can use "autonomy of thought" to describe the ability to think independently, such as, "The educational system should foster "autonomy of thought" among students." It emphasizes the freedom to form one's own ideas.

What's the difference between "autonomy of thought" and "freedom of thought"?

While closely related, "autonomy of thought" emphasizes the internal capacity for independent thinking and self-governance of one's mind, whereas "freedom of thought" focuses on the external liberty to hold and develop beliefs without coercion.

Is "intellectual independence" a good substitute for "autonomy of thought"?

"Intellectual independence" is a suitable substitute for "autonomy of thought" when you want to stress the freedom from external intellectual control or influence in forming one's thoughts and opinions.

In what contexts is "autonomy of thought" most relevant?

"Autonomy of thought" is particularly relevant in discussions about education, philosophy, politics, and personal development, where independent thinking, critical analysis, and the formation of one's own beliefs are highly valued.