Full Idea
'Autonomism' is the theory that the intrinsic moral merits and defects of an artwork are irrelevant to its aesthetic value.
Gist of Idea
'Autonomism' says the morality is irrelevant to the aesthetics
Source
Daniel Jacobson (Ethical Criticism and the Vice of Moderation [2006], Intro)
Book Reference
'Aesthetics and the Phil of Art (debates)', ed/tr. Kieran,Matthew [Blackwell 2004], p.342
A Reaction
This contrasts with 'moralism', which says the ethics is part of the aesthetics. Autonomism seems to be the modern academic label for art for art's sake. In nineteenth century novels the ethics are central; in modernist novels they seem to be irrelevant.