Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts
Major
Philosophy
Date of Defense
9-24-2010
Graduate Advisor
Eric Wiland, Ph.D.
Committee
Anna Alexandrova
Stephanie Ross
Eric Wiland
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate a form of soft paternalism put forth by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein known as libertarian paternalism. On their view, criteria are provided for distinguishing between justified and unjustified libertarian paternalism policy proposals. The central philosophical issue surrounding libertarian paternalism is determining when limitations on autonomy for the sake of beneficence are justified. However, the criteria given by Thaler and Sunstein are inadequate because they do not effectively overcome problematic case examples. I contend that an additional autonomy-based condition should be added to their criteria. Specifically, autonomy may trump beneficence in favor of rejection of a policy if certain crucial autonomy considerations are violated.
OCLC Number
703424362
Recommended Citation
Catalano, Michelle Elizabeth, "Evaluating Libertarian Paternalism" (2010). Theses. 213.
https://irl.umsl.edu/thesis/213