an action which is determined by some outside influence (i.e., some force other than the freedom given by practical reason, such as inclina­tion) impelling the subject to act in a certain way. Such action is nonmoral (i.e., neither moral nor immoral). (Cf. autonomy.)

The opposite of autonomy. An autonomous person is self-determined, while a heteronomous person is not free to act but influenced or controlled by something outside of the person. For Kant if we are controlled by our emotions we are not acting morally because we are not free to make a rational decision. Etymologically, hetero is Greek for "other"; and nomos is Greek for "law"

rule by another, in which one is morally responsible to obey limitations and proscriptions established by the ruling entity (as opposed to autonomy). Central to biblical Christianity is the individual’s willful submission to the will, right and authority of the Creator-God in a heteronomous relationship (which, by definition, is a theonomy).

For Kant, heteronomy is the opposite of autonomy. Whereas an autonomous person is one whose will is self-determined, a heteronomous person is one whose will is determined by something outside of the person, such as overwhelming emotions. Etymologically, heteronomy goes back to the Greek words for "other" and "law."