One might enumerate the items of high civilization, as it exists in other countries, which are absent from the texture of American life, until it should become a wonder to know what was left.
Henry JamesRead
While all societies make their own imaginaries (institutions, laws, traditions, beliefs and behaviors), autonomous societies are those that their members are aware of this fact, and explicitly self-institute (αυτο-νομούνται). In contrast, the members of heteronomous societies attribute their imaginaries to some extra-social authority (i.e. God, ancestors, historical necessity)
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses the difference between societies that create their own systems and those that rely on external authorities for their beliefs and practices.
In this quote, Cornelius Castoriadis emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in societal structures. He distinguishes autonomous societies, where individuals recognize and actively participate in the creation of their own institutions and beliefs, from heteronomous societies, where members defer to external authorities like divine figures or historical mandates to justify their social arrangements. This highlights the significance of self-institution and the role of conscious awareness in the formation of societal norms.
Themes
AutonomySocietySelf-InstitutionBeliefsAuthority
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on political philosophy, one might refer to this quote to highlight the importance of self-governance.
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