Philosophy / Unit 8 Philosophy 0332 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Paternalism
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The idea
Paternalism: restricting a person's liberty for their own good—the interference the harm principle rules out for competent adults.
In practice
Seatbelt laws, sugar taxes, banned substances: each protects people chiefly from themselves, and each starts a harm-principle fight.
Where people slip
Mill allowed exceptions—children, and famously, stopping a man crossing a collapsing bridge he cannot know about.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
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