Difference between revisions of "Paternalism"

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'''Paternalism''' is from the Latin ''pater'' "[[father]]", from the adjective ''paternus'' "fatherly", and in general denotes an attitude, a policy, or action limiting the liberty or autonomy of a person or group, which is at least ostensibly intended to promote their own good, and can also imply that the behavior is against or regardless of the will of a person, or also that the behavior expresses an attitude of superiority, justified or unjustified.  
 
'''Paternalism''' is from the Latin ''pater'' "[[father]]", from the adjective ''paternus'' "fatherly", and in general denotes an attitude, a policy, or action limiting the liberty or autonomy of a person or group, which is at least ostensibly intended to promote their own good, and can also imply that the behavior is against or regardless of the will of a person, or also that the behavior expresses an attitude of superiority, justified or unjustified.  
  
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Some [[Philosophy|philosophers]], such as [[John Stuart Mill]], think an attitude of paternalism is appropriate toward children: {cquote|"It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to say that this doctrine is meant to apply only to human beings in the maturity of their faculties. We are not speaking of children, or of young persons below the age which the law may fix as that of manhood or womanhood."}
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Some [[Philosophy|philosophers]], such as [[John Stuart Mill]], think an attitude of paternalism is only appropriate toward children: {{cquote|It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to say that this doctrine is meant to apply only to human beings in the maturity of their faculties. We are not speaking of children, or of young persons below the age which the law may fix as that of manhood or womanhood.<ref>Mill, J.S. [1859]/(1991) "On Liberty", published in Gray, John (ed), John Stuart Mill: On Liberty and Other Essays, Oxford: Oxford University Press</ref>}}
  
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An attitude or policy of paternalism towards adults is sometimes thought to treat them disrespectfully, even demeaning them, as if they were children. [[Sociology|Sociologists]] are divided on whether certain degrees of paternalism defend or violate [[Dignity|human dignity]]. In the [[20th century]] in the United States, [[conservative]] political theory was held to regard the general population as needing guidance, and a more centralized government, emphasizing [[Federalism]], at the time exemplified by the leaders of the [[Republican Party]], in contrast to a more [[liberal]] political theory holding that the people as a whole, innately possessed in general of enough mature, informed [[common sense]], to determine for themselves what is best to fulfill the needs of the country as a whole, and of regions and states and cities, and of individual citizens and minorities in particular, in favor of a more decentralized government, emphasizing [[States Rights]] and [[Grassroots|grassroots movements]], at the time exemplified by the leaders of the [[Democratic Party]] and the [[Libertarian Party]]. Much has changed in the [[21st century]].
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An attitude or policy of paternalism towards adults is sometimes thought to treat them disrespectfully, even demeaning them, as if they were children. [[Sociology|Sociologists]] are divided on whether certain degrees of paternalism defend or violate [[Dignity|human dignity]].  
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In ''On Liberty'' John Stuart Mill writes:{{cquote|...the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right.<ref>ibid.</ref>}}
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In the late [[19th century]] and most of the [[20th century]] in the United States, [[conservative]] political theory was held to regard the general population as needing guidance, and a more centralized government, emphasizing [[Federalism]], at the time exemplified by the leaders of the [[Republican Party]], in contrast to a more [[liberal]] political theory holding that the people as a whole, innately possessed in general enough mature, informed [[common sense]], to determine for themselves what is best to fulfill the needs of the country as a whole, and of regions and states and cities, and of minorities and individual citizens in particular, in favor of a more decentralized government, emphasizing [[States Rights]] and [[Grassroots|grassroots movements]], at the time exemplified by the leaders of the [[Democratic Party]] and the [[Libertarian Party]]. Much has changed since the late 20th century, beginning in the 70s and 80s, and through into the [[21st century]].
  
 
Paternalism, paternalistic and paternalist have all been used as negative, disapproving labels. See [[Libel]] and [[Polemic]].
 
Paternalism, paternalistic and paternalist have all been used as negative, disapproving labels. See [[Libel]] and [[Polemic]].
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[[Populism]]
 
[[Populism]]
  
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==External links==
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[[Dictator]]
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[https://www.britannica.com/topic/paternalism Paternalism: Social science - Britannica Encyclopedia, article by Lindsay J. Thompson (britannica.com)]
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[[Monarchy]]
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[[Anarchy]]
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[[Self-determination]]
  
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[https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/paternalism/ Paternalism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (plato.stanford.edu)]
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==References==
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{{reflist}}
  
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[http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Paternalism Paternalism - New World Encyclopedia (newworldencyclopedia.org)]
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==External links==
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* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/paternalism Paternalism: Social science - Britannica Encyclopedia, article by Lindsay J. Thompson (britannica.com)]
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* [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/paternalism/ Paternalism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (plato.stanford.edu)]
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* [http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Paternalism Paternalism - New World Encyclopedia (newworldencyclopedia.org)]
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* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternalism Paternalism - Wikipedia]
  
  
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[[category:Psychology]]
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[[Category:Psychology]]
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[[category:Government]]
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[[Category:Sociology]]
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[[category:Dictionary]]
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[[Category:Government]]
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[[Category:Dictionary]]

Latest revision as of 23:46, March 9, 2018

Paternalism is from the Latin pater "father", from the adjective paternus "fatherly", and in general denotes an attitude, a policy, or action limiting the liberty or autonomy of a person or group, which is at least ostensibly intended to promote their own good, and can also imply that the behavior is against or regardless of the will of a person, or also that the behavior expresses an attitude of superiority, justified or unjustified.

Some philosophers, such as John Stuart Mill, think an attitude of paternalism is only appropriate toward children:

“ It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to say that this doctrine is meant to apply only to human beings in the maturity of their faculties. We are not speaking of children, or of young persons below the age which the law may fix as that of manhood or womanhood.[1] ”

An attitude or policy of paternalism towards adults is sometimes thought to treat them disrespectfully, even demeaning them, as if they were children. Sociologists are divided on whether certain degrees of paternalism defend or violate human dignity.

In On Liberty John Stuart Mill writes:

“ ...the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right.[2] ”

In the late 19th century and most of the 20th century in the United States, conservative political theory was held to regard the general population as needing guidance, and a more centralized government, emphasizing Federalism, at the time exemplified by the leaders of the Republican Party, in contrast to a more liberal political theory holding that the people as a whole, innately possessed in general enough mature, informed common sense, to determine for themselves what is best to fulfill the needs of the country as a whole, and of regions and states and cities, and of minorities and individual citizens in particular, in favor of a more decentralized government, emphasizing States Rights and grassroots movements, at the time exemplified by the leaders of the Democratic Party and the Libertarian Party. Much has changed since the late 20th century, beginning in the 70s and 80s, and through into the 21st century.

Paternalism, paternalistic and paternalist have all been used as negative, disapproving labels. See Libel and Polemic.

See also

Parent

Big Brother

Social gospel

Government

Authority

Populism

Dictator

Monarchy

Anarchy

Self-determination

References

  1. ↑ Mill, J.S. [1859]/(1991) "On Liberty", published in Gray, John (ed), John Stuart Mill: On Liberty and Other Essays, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  2. ↑ ibid.

External links