Respect for autonomy: deciding what is good for oneself

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Mind
• Ethics
• Bioethics

Background:

• Paternalistic interference in autonomous decisions is generally considered impermissible.
• The "agent-constitution of the good" view posits that autonomous agents determine their own best interests through their aims.

Purpose of the Study:

• To argue against the "agent-constitution of the good" theory.
• To demonstrate that autonomous agents can misjudge their own well-being.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical argumentation
• Analysis of ethical theories
• Examination of decision-making in private, self-regarding contexts

Main Results:

• The "agent-constitution of the good" is demonstrated to be a false view.
• Autonomous agents can indeed be mistaken about what constitutes their best interests.

Conclusions:

• The "agent-constitution of the good" is an illusion, often arising from overlooking constraints in private decisions.
• Revisiting the permissibility of paternalism in light of this finding is warranted.