This book argues that contemporary biology should progress towards and revolve around the idea of autonomy. Biological autonomy describes living organisms as organised systems, which are able to self-produce and self-maintain as integrated entities, to establish their own goals and norms, and to promote the conditions of their existence through their interactions with the environment.

Topics covered in this book include biological emergence and levels of causation, organisms, agency and levels of autonomy, and a look at the historical dimension of autonomy. The current development of...