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Alain de Botton argues for a nanny state

February 6th, 2011 Posted in freedom, Nudge Dredd by

The philosopher Alain de Botton has made the argument for the nanny state on the BBC’s website.

Part of his reasoning is that he believes that the libertarian notion, that we must be free, has won. Those who argue for a liberal society, a society where the individual controls their life, might be surprised to hear that as they tend to think there is more work to be done to establish a liberal world.

Putting that to one side, many people take the view that people cannot make decisions on their own and need help.

Reading de Botton’s piece I was struck that there was something missing from his argument. What would be fascinating to know is what sort of nannying would de Botton like? I am assuming de Botton needs nannying as his argument is that we all do.

I have no idea if de Botton reads Liberal Vision but if he does he is more than welcome to comment and tell us.

6 Responses to “Alain de Botton argues for a nanny state”

  1. Jack Says:

    Yeah I read that, he could really have bolstered his argument with some specifics. Or not, as the case may be. I found interesting his comparison of adverts telling us what to buy with hypothetical adverts telling us how to live, but as someone who fucking despises adverts telling me what to buy all he did was crystallize my thoughts. Though to be fair it was probably the least obnoxious defence of the Nanny State that I’ve read.


  2. Simon Goldie Says:

    I suppose one could assume that Alain de Botton feels the need for guidance on how to live a more healthy lifestyle as that is his focus in the piece.


  3. Psi Says:

    @ Simon Goldie

    I would have imnagined he would have been capable of purchasing a book that would tell him, or he could research on the internet. It is likley thet these two sources would provide more tailored advice that could be suggested by a civil servant in Whitehall. But perhaps with his substantial earnings he feels that other tax payers should subsidise him.


  4. Geoffrey Payne Says:

    I think that being told what to buy by TV adverts is “Nannying” by the private sector. OK taxpayers do not pay for it from their taxes, but it is in the consumers interest to buy products from a rational point of view, and most adverts have no interest in doing that. They want you to buy their product regardless.


  5. Dhaarna Gupta Says:

    Alain De Botton has a philosophical approach to whatever he writes, but he never argues to justify what he thinks. I believe that here he has just put forward his thought. Someone who has read his book- Essays of love will totally agree with me on this. Only a man with sensibility and sensitivity can write such a piece. Read Essays of love from uRead and you will realise why I recommend this writer.


  6. Simon Goldie Says:

    Geoffrey

    I am not sure that an advert is the same as nannying. But for the sake of argument we say it is, one can already opt-out of that communication by not watching or looking at adverts. You can also choose what goods and services to buy.

    Simon