Treatment dilemma: a political science perspective

1. The hallmark of a free society is that adults are free to choose their own life plans. Those who are mentally ill with impaired rationality often experience a severe reduction in their freedom to act out personal life plans. 2. A paternalistic care environment in a liberal state will foster a treatment modality that promotes development of the ability to think, choose, and act in a rational manner and allows the recovering individual to practice the liberty to choose. 3. A common language and group consciousness must be developed, as well as a willingness of those involved to sacrifice some of their individual needs and desires to work toward providing a paternalistic care environment for the mentally ill as a common good.