Following upon a review of the ego autonomy concept Grauer criticizes Hartmann's theory of neutralization of instinctual energy. He suggests that a better case for ego autonomy can be made out if autonomous ego operations are considered as dependent on the ego's own energies rather than on those transferred to it from the drives. Federn's concept of medial ego libido provides a better foundation for the autonomous ego functions of perception, thinking, defence, constructive and adaptive activities. Complementary ideas on this topic of autonomy which have been proposed by Weiss, Menninger and Angyal are also discussed.