For an algebraic or geometric object L, its automorphisms form a group Aut(L). If in addition Aut(L) has a topology, we denote its identity component by Int(L), and define the quotient group Out(L) = Aut(L)/Int(L). The members of Int(L) are called inner, and the remaining are called outer. Let L be a complex semisimple Lie algebra with Dynkin diagram D. It is well known that Out(L) = Aut(D). We extend this result to the real forms of L, and discuss the classification of real forms up to Int(L). We also consider possible extensions of these results to contragredient Lie superalgebras.