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    Mill argued in 'On Liberty' that paternalistic deference ... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→The advice of good people must be sought and heeded.

    Mill argued in 'On Liberty' that paternalistic deference to wise authorities atrophies the individual's rational and moral faculties over time.

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    1 reason for
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    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Cognitive skills require practice; unused faculties atrophy like unused muscles, suggesting deference prevents moral reasoning development.
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    • 2.Historical evidence shows societies with paternalistic governance often exhibit lower civic engagement and critical thinking in subsequent generations.
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    • 3.Psychological autonomy research indicates individuals making their own decisions report greater sense of agency and moral confidence.
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    Reasons Against

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    • 1.Accepting expert guidance in some domains (medicine, engineering) doesn't prevent reasoning development in others where autonomy remains.
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    • 2.Some individuals lack sufficient knowledge to reason well on complex issues; deference to expertise may better serve their interests than flawed self-determination.
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    • 3.Atrophy claim assumes linear relationship unproven empirically; people may develop moral faculties through non-autonomous channels like education and reflection.
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    2 topics

    Democracy & Governance1 linkedVirtue Ethics1 linked

    Related

    Accepting expert guidance in some domains (medicine, engineering) doesn't preven...Atrophy claim assumes linear relationship unproven empirically; people may devel...Cognitive skills require practice; unused faculties atrophy like unused muscles,...Historical evidence shows societies with paternalistic governance often exhibit ...
    +3 moreShow less
    Psychological autonomy research indicates individuals making their own decisions...Some individuals lack sufficient knowledge to reason well on complex issues; def...The advice of good people must be sought and heeded.

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    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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