Autonomy and Paternalism

Autonomy refers to an individual's right to make their own choices and govern their own life, based on their personal values and preferences. Paternalism involves others, such as government or institutions, making decisions on someone’s behalf, often to protect them from harm, sometimes overriding their preferences. While autonomy emphasizes personal freedom and responsibility, paternalism seeks to promote individuals' well-being, even if it limits their freedom of choice. The debate balances respecting individual independence against the desire to prevent harm or poor decisions.