PHIL 347 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Paternalism
Document Summary
Applies only to mentally competent adults (not children, not mentally ill) Value is placed on individuals" liberty to pursue happiness in their own way. Self-knowledge: i know me better than anyone ever, known own happiness. No one should be forcibly restricted from acting on their own desires as long as the acts do not harm others. Paternalism/restrictions on liberty are warranted when actions (could) cause harm to others. Harm: killing, torture, poisoning, raping, stealing, invading privacy. Should persuade" others to not make unwise choices, but not forcibly restrict. The individual never the less should be given the freedom to make that choice . Acts should be evaluated by their outcomes. Regulating drugs that may be harmful only to the users. Not allowing consent as a defense of murder. Procedures justified by preventing an individual from harming themselves (confinement to mental hospitals) A consents to being b s salve on a permanent basis.