Autonomy and Intervention: Parentalism in the Caring LifeThe basic relationship between people should be care, and the caring life is the highest which humans can live. Unfortunately, care that is not thoughtful slides into illegitimate intrusion on autonomy. Autonomy is a basic good, and we should not abridge it without good reason. On the other hand, it is not the only good. We must sometimes intervene in the lives of others to protect them from grave harms or provide them with important benefits. The reflective person, therefore, needs guidelines for caring. Some contemporary moralists condemn paternalism categorically. This work examines weaknesses in their arguments and proposes new guidelines for paternalism, which it calls "parentalism" to avoid the patriarchal connotations of the old term. Its antiparentalism is more moderate than standard antipaternalism based on an exaggerated respect for autonomy. The work explores implications for both the personal sphere of interactions between individuals, such as friends and family members, and the public sphere of institutions, legislation, and the professional practices. |
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absolute action affect agent antiparentalism antiparentalist argument Arneson autarchy auton basic behavior believes benefit caring choice choose claims client coercion competent conception consent consequences consequentialist criminal law critical decisions deontological desires Dworkin ethical evaluating Feinberg forms of parentalism freedom goals guidelines H.L.A. Hart harm harm principle hence human hypothetical ideal important incompetent individual informed consent interests interference intervention intuitions judgments justified Kleinig laws legislation liberty lives means measures Mill Mill's moral rules moralists Moreover necessary negative right norms objective obligation Odysseus one's parentalistic acts particular Paternalism paternalistic person position practices preferences prevent prima facie principles professional promote protect rational reason recipient reflect relationships relevant requires respect responsibility right to autonomy role Rule Utilitarianism sanctions satisfaction self-harmful sense social Social atomism society solicitude theory tion treat utility valid values VanDeVeer VanDeVeer's violate wants welfare