The Autonomy Principle is the natural law of sovereignty,
meaning “supreme power.” As human beings, we are all created
equal with the free will to make choices. This freedom is our
highest power and it’s at the core of our very existence.
Especially in democratic countries, we citizens are often
willing to fight or die for this sovereign right. We place a
high value on it. With this right, however, comes an associated
and hefty price—personal responsibility for the outcome of our
choices. Choices bring consequences. For instance, if we spill
our milk, we must clean it up. It doesn’t mean we are stupid or
bad or that we should be punished for spilling the milk. It
simply means we must take the time and energy required to clean
up the mess we’ve made. If we continue to go around spilling
milk on a frequent basis, it may begin to define us as being
inefficient and without the ability to adapt. Since we’re likely
to reject that characterization, we learn how to pay attention
and be more careful when drinking milk