Paternalism Theory and Practice

Is it allowable for your government, or anyone else, to influence or coerce you 'for your own sake'? This is a question about paternalism, or interference with a person's liberty or autonomy with the intention of promoting their good or averting harm, which has created considerable controversy at least since John Stuart Mill's On Liberty. Mill famously decried paternalism of any kind, whether carried out by private individuals or the state. In this volume of new essays, leading moral, political and legal philosophers address how to define paternalism, its justification, and the implications for public policy, professional ethics and criminal law. So-called 'libertarian' or non-coercive paternalism receives considerable attention. The discussion addresses the nature of freedom and autonomy and the relation of individuals to law, policy and the state. The volume will interest a wide range of readers in political philosophy, public policy and the philosophy of law.

Introduction: paternalism - issues and trends Christian Coons and Michael Weber; 1. Defining paternalism Gerald Dworkin; 2. Penal paternalism Douglas Husak; 3. Self-sovereignty and paternalism Peter de Marneffe; 4. The right to autonomy and the justification of hard paternalism Danny Scoccia; 5. Moral environmentalism Steven Wall; 6. Kantian paternalism and suicide intervention Michael Cholbi; 7. Paternalism and the principle of fairness Richard Arneson; 8. Paternalism in economics Daniel M. Haybron and Anna Alexandrovna; 9. Choice architecture: a mechanism for improving decisions while preserving liberty? Jennifer Blumenthal-Barby; 10. A psychological defense of paternalism Jeremy A. Blumenthal; 11. Libertarian paternalism, utilitarianism, and justice Jamie Kelly; 12. Voluntary enslavement Lawrence Alexander; 13. Paternalism, (school) choice and opportunity Sigal Ben-Porath.

Should the government influence or coerce us for our 'own good'? This volume explores how to apply an understanding of paternalism to public policy, professional ethics, criminal law and methodology in the social sciences. Of interest to scholars and graduate students in political philosophy, philosophy of law and political theory.

Christian Coons is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Bowling Green State University.
Michael Weber is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Chair of Department at Bowling Green State University.