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The heteronomy of choice architecture
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Mills, Christopher E. (2015) The heteronomy of choice architecture. Review of Philosophy and Psychology, 6 (3). pp. 495-509. doi:10.1007/s13164-015-0242-7 ISSN 1878-5158.
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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13164-015-0242-7
Abstract
Choice architecture is heralded as a policy approach that does not coercively reduce freedom of choice. Still we might worry that this approach fails to respect individual choice because it subversively manipulates individuals, thus contravening their personal autonomy. In this article I address two arguments to this effect. First, I deny that choice architecture is necessarily heteronomous. I explain the reasons we have for avoiding heteronomous policy-making and offer a set of four conditions for non-heteronomy. I then provide examples of nudges that meet these conditions. I argue that these policies are capable of respecting and promoting personal autonomy, and show this claim to be true across contrasting conceptions of autonomy. Second, I deny that choice architecture is disrespectful because it is epistemically paternalistic. This critique appears to loom large even against non-heteronomous nudges. However, I argue that while some of these policies may exhibit epistemically paternalistic tendencies, these tendencies do not necessarily undermine personal autonomy. Thus, if we are to find such policies objectionable, we cannot do so on the grounds of respect for autonomy.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
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Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) J Political Science > JC Political theory |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Law | ||||||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Policy sciences -- Philosophy, Paternalism, Autonomy | ||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Review of Philosophy and Psychology | ||||||||
Publisher: | Springer Netherlands | ||||||||
ISSN: | 1878-5158 | ||||||||
Official Date: | September 2015 | ||||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 6 | ||||||||
Number: | 3 | ||||||||
Page Range: | pp. 495-509 | ||||||||
DOI: | 10.1007/s13164-015-0242-7 | ||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access | ||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 8 August 2017 | ||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 8 August 2017 |
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