Odpowiedzialność za przyszłe pokolenia: edukacja do autonomii

This paper considers the problem of autonomy of the individual in a demo- cratic society, and the problem of education for autonomy, education seen as a challenge and our moral responsibility to the future generation. I assume that the decisive role in this task is for us all. The quality of our response to the call of responsibility to the future generation depends largely on our generation’s attitude – whether the generation responsible to the future gene- rations will take action or whether it will be made responsible for its inaction in the future. Teachers and teacher education are placed in the centre of the presented analysis. I argue that teachers who do not focus on acquiring and expanding their autonomy competences, or do not use the autonomy assigned to them by law, are not able to create appropriate conditions for their students in the field of education. Education for autonomy depends, among other conditions, on the teachers’ responsibility for their own professional development. A signi- ficant responsibility in this respect falls on universities that provide teacher education.