Paternalista

Paternalista is a term used in political philosophy and ethics to describe a stance, policy, or actor that treats people as if they were dependents who require guidance and protection. A paternalista assumes that restricting or directing individual choices serves their own good, even when the individuals may prefer to make their own decisions. The term derives from pater, father, and is cognate with the English word paternalist; it is used in Romance-language discourse to denote similar ideas.

Paternalism is commonly discussed in two broad forms. Soft paternalism aims to influence decisions only when a person’s choices are likely to misrepresent their true preferences due to faulty reasoning or impaired judgment; the aim is to help individuals make decisions they would endorse if they were fully informed and rational. Hard paternalism justifies coercive measures to prevent harm or promote welfare even if it overrides informed preferences, for example, prohibiting dangerous activities or mandating medical treatment regardless of patient consent. In medicine, medical paternalism describes clinicians prioritizing perceived patient welfare over patient autonomy.

Critics argue that paternalism undermines autonomy, risks abuse, and can stigmatize or disempower groups. Proponents contend it protects vulnerable individuals and guides choices toward long-term welfare; legitimacy often depends on context, effectiveness, and the availability of less intrusive alternatives. In political philosophy, libertarian paternalism—popularized by Thaler and Sunstein—advocates guiding choices while maintaining freedom to opt out.

See also: paternalism, soft paternalism, libertarian paternalism, medical paternalism, nudging.