Full Idea
First level autonomy is being able to apply one's scheme of values to one's actions and life; second level autonomy is being able to subject those values to critical evaluation.
Gist of Idea
First level autonomy is application of personal values; second level is criticising them
Source
John Charvet (Liberalism: the basics [2019], 10)
Book Reference
Charvet,John: 'Liberalism: the basics' [Routledge 2019], p.128
A Reaction
Charvet sees this as a key issue for liberalism. How do you treat citizens who cannot advance beyond the first level? He mentions the elitism of Plato's Republic that results.