Assignment 10 Paternalism and Risk
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Assignment 10: Paternalism and Risk
1.
Please read pages 293-294 (the introduction), BEFORE you get started. It will make the rest of
this assignment easier to understand.
2.
What is the John Stuart Mill’s “classic defense of individual” that is expressed in his “liberal
credo”? Feel free to simply re-type exactly. (p. 293, first paragraph)
When the individual defends their opinions on subject matters and provides reasonable examplesof
comeuppance
3.
How does the author suggest we determine “harm”? (pp. 293)
By defining anything that could cause physical and emotional damage to us and if they pass that
than we determine a certain thing as harm.
4.
As you can see, the author suggests that “criminal” behavior should be determined based upon
risk and harm. How does he suggest that this relates to the legalization of drugs? (pp. 293-294)
The legalization of drugs because drugs is a criminal action to start with but with the risks and
harms of it society believes it has no harm or little risk with it therefore they decided to continue
with legalization.
5.
What role does the concept of “autonomy” play, in this determination? (p. 294)
The concept of self-governing and wanted to evaluate what is a risk and harm to them which can
lead to the legalization of drugs.
6.
As with question #6 above, how does this relate to the analysis of private gun ownership? More
specifically, what does he say about the “causal relationship” and, later, “inherent harm”?
Private and self-governing are one of the same, they want to make their own rules and live life
how they want to and a causal relationship with their gun keeps them from being inherently
harmful.
“Against the Legalization of Drugs”
7.
In the article, Against the Legalization of Drugs, what does the author say about the societal
costs of drug usage? (See “Back to the Future” pp. 310-311) Note: Pay attention to the first
paragraph, on page 311.
The societal cost of drug usage is that society is not a collective autonomous individuals.
8.
What is the argument made by the “proponents of legalization” of drugs? (p. 311, right-hand
column)
The costs of having more addicts around would be offset by having more money available to
treat them.
9.
What are the benefits of the illegalization of drugs? (p. 312)
Saving money on trying to fix the problem, making a profit by taxing the drugs, and crime rates
would reduce since the drug is legal.
10.
Please read “If I Am Wrong…”; particularly the last two paragraphs. What do you understand this
to mean? (pp. 312-313)
More harm than benefit would come with the legalization of drugs.
“The Liberal Basis of the Right to Bear Arms”
NOTE:
The use of the term “liberal” is not in the political sense.
Please refer to question #1 above.
11.
In reading The Liberal Basis of the Right to Bear Arms, please explain the Cuban AIDS example
provided on page 323 (right-hand column).
When Cuba started put everyone known to have AIDS in isolation camps until they no longer
carry the disease.
12.
Pleases define “liberalism”? What are the three key elements key principles of Liberalism.(p.
323-324)
A political and moral philosophy based on liberty, consent of the governed, and equality before
the law.
13.
Please generally explain the concepts of Autonomy, Neutrality, and Equality. (p. 324)
Autonomy is the concept of self-governing, Neutrality is the state action that has to be neutral
between particular conceptions of the good of life, and Equality means treating subjects as
equal.
14.
What are the two key requirements of Autonomy? (p. 324)
Principal of neutrality and equality
15.
Please explain how this principle of Equality applies to Ms. Jackson? (p. 325 – Section II: Firearms
and Autonomy)
She was treated equally to the other subject
16.
In Section III (Risk), please explain the comparison of ownership of guns v. dynamite. (p. 326)
Dynamite is unpredictable while a gun is more accurate.
17.
What does he say about the purpose of guns? (p. 326, last paragraph. Hint: clocks)
To function precisely like clocks.
18.
Please explain the exception made for “sawed-off shotgun”; specifically, what is the key
distinction? (p. 328, third paragraph)
It is good for close quarters, but worse aim than a regular shotgun.
19.
Explain “assault weapons” and the “good life.” (p. 328, top of right-hand column)
It I used to define a specific type of weapon typically used to assault a person. The good life
means a life with no worries/happy and content.
20.
In Section IV (Firearms and Equality), please explain the story about Ms. Johnson and how it
relates to the Principe of Equality. (pp. 329-330)
Equality is an important idea—it tells us that discrimination and bigotry are wrong. But it isn’t, in
itself, detailed enough to answer questions about how a community should divide.
“Gun Control”
21.
What are “fundamental rights”? (p. 335, first two paragraphs)
Non-derivative right protecting a fundamental interest
22.
In the article Gun Control, what are the three (3) questions that must be answered in deciding
gun ownership? (pp. 336, See “Summing Up: Justifying the Private Ownership of Guns”)
1. How important is owning a gun to some people?
2. What are the consequences of private gun ownership?
3. Is abolishing or restricting the private ownership of guns a bad policy?
23.
What are the key questions to ask regarding Harm, Danger, and Risk of gun ownership? (p. 337)
“Are guns inherently dangerous?” and “What is the empirical probability that they cause serious
harm?”
24.
What are the key distinctions about technological advancement in Guns v. Automobiles debate?
(p. 337)
Automobiles and guns can be used to kill however it’s not the cars or the guns fault it’s the
person who is driving the car and the person who is holding the gun who is at fault.
25.
What is the four-part “test” for determining Risk? (p. 338)
1. The probability of harm
2. The seriousness of harm
3. The probability of achieving the benefits
4. The significance of the benefit
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26.
What are the four key questions for determining “What We Need to Know,” and what is the
three-part “balancing test” (my term) for deciding where to restrict behavior? (p. 339)
1. Is there a statistically significant correlation between the action and harm?
2. Do we have a good reason to think this correlation indicates could cause harm?
3. How serious are these tempting arguments?
4. How are people handling guns?
27.
What are the key arguments that “more guns [cause] more violence”? (p. 340, bottom left-hand
corner)
When people are angry they act in ways in which they normally wouldn’t and that could lead to
shootings that’s why we need to regulate gun laws.
28.
Please explain the third alternative to controlling gun ownership – “strict liability.” What is the
author’s suggestion on p. 344 (bottom left-hand corner)? Do you agree?
(pp. 343-344)
Strict liability makes the owner of the gun fully liable for their piece of fire arm and more
extensive background checks.