Universal Basic Income and Human Dignity: Between Paternalism
and Autonomy

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https://doi.org/10.54937/2026.9788056112410.49-55

Autor/ Author: Miroslav Čech  

In: DOKOR 2025. Recenzovaný zborník z interdisciplinárnej doktorandskej konferencie

ISBN: 978-80-561-1241-0

Strany/ Page Range: 49-55

Rok vydania/ Publication Year: 2026

Jazyk/ Language: Slovak

Vydavateľ/ Publisher: VERBUM – vydavateľstvo Katolíckej univerzity v Ružomberku

Abstrakt/ Abstract: The question of the relationship between dignity, paternalism and autonomy forms the core of this philosophical and ethical analysis. The paper examines to what extent the concept of Universal Basic Income can be understood as an ethically more acceptable alternative to paternalistic forms of social policy that condition state assistance on the fulfilment of specific criteria. On the theoretical level, it draws on philosophical concepts of dignity and autonomy and their application to issues of social justice. It argues that a paternalistic approach based on control and conditionality may lead to the loss of autonomy and to the violation of the dignity of welfare recipients. Conversely, UBI can be understood as an expression of trust in the individual and as a means of enabling real freedom to act according to one’s own values without economic coercion. The conclusion points to the need to reconsider the moral foundations of the welfare state and seeks a balance between social responsibility, solidarity and individual autonomy.

Kľúčové slová/ Keywords: dignity, positive freedom, autonomy, paternalism, universal basic income

Citácia/ How to cite:

ČECH, Miroslav, 2026. Všeobecný základný príjem a ľudská dôstojnosť: medzi paternalizmom a autonómiou. In: DOKOR 2025. Recenzovaný zborník z interdisciplinárnej doktorandskej konferencie. Online. Ružomberok: VERBUM – vydavateľstvo Katolíckej univerzity v Ružomberku, 2026, s. 49-55. ISBN 978-80-561-1241-0. Dostupné na: https://doi.org/10.54937/2026.9788056112410.49-55

Toto dielo je publikované pod/ This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.