The autonomy of the individual is a core concept in many, interrelated scientific fields. In law, it is a key aspect of the individual’s private sphere to be protected and also of their capacity to make decisions that have legal effects. In public law, the question of decision-making capacity is linked to the exercise of fundamental and procedural rights, while it is the duty of the states and supranational organs to recognize and respect the decisions of individuals and their communities in a meaningful way.