Abstract

This dissertation project is divided into two distinct sections. The first section deals with the theoretical aspects of justified paternalistic intervention. In this first section I present and discuss important concepts which must be understood in order to derive a solid framework from which beneficent decisions which interfere with the wishes of others can be made. The most important aspect of the first phase of this project is to establish acceptable definitions of central terms such as autonomy, liberty, rationality, and competence. ;The second section of the dissertation utilizes the theoretical understanding which has been reached in the first part as an aid in addressing a specific medical-ethics problem. The problem which is addressed is that of psychotic patients who refuse to take anti-psychotic medication. ;The greater portion of the dissertation is spent on the theoretical issues which are involved in justifying paternalistic intervention. In that first section, an alternate definition of rationality which stresses the internal coherence of a person's belief structure, rather than a content specific understanding of rationality, is developed. I argue that this new formulation of rationality is best able to guide paternalistic interventions