Which statement best characterizes weak paternalism?

• A. Strong: The overriding of a person's actions or choices although he or she is substantially autonomous
• B. Weak: the overriding of a person's actions or choices although he or she is not autonomous
• C. Strong: Overriding of a person's autonomous decisions
• D. Weak: directed at persons who cannot actually act autonomously or whose autonomy is greatly diminished

Answer: (D)

Weak paternalism rests on intervening when a person does not have full autonomous capacity to make a voluntary, informed decision. It aims to protect or guide someone whose autonomy is compromised—such as a person who is intoxicated, cognitively impaired, or a child—rather than overriding the decisions of someone who is fully autonomous. The statement that best captures this is that weak paternalism is directed at individuals who cannot actually act autonomously or whose autonomy is greatly diminished. This distinguishes it from strong paternalism, which overrides autonomous choices for a person’s own good.