> Why is it too much to expect adults to act like adults and make decisions for themselves?
Because people don't act rationally. The model of a human as a rational actor who deeply considers all of the potential impacts of their decisions is a fiction that has been proven flawed by countless studies. Those actions can have externalities and consequences for which the public bears the cost, not just the actor.
> why is it their fault that people cant control themselves
Nobody's ascribing fault here; rather, we're trying to understand the bigger picture.
I dont believe that people who eat unhealthy food have any doubts about the effect of the food. They just dont care that its unhealthy, that isnt an externality.
> Nobody's ascribing fault here; rather, we're trying to understand the bigger picture.
The bigger picture is that more products that people enjoy is a good thing, and if some people cant handle that its not societys fault.
The externality is increased public health care cost. Obesity leads to increased risks of heart attacks, diabetes, strokes, etc. And there’s a strong between poverty and obesity, making it more likely the public will pay the cost of treatment.
There are other externalities as well; for example, we still haven’t really solved the problems created by all the plastic packaging used with processed foods.
Because people don't act rationally. The model of a human as a rational actor who deeply considers all of the potential impacts of their decisions is a fiction that has been proven flawed by countless studies. Those actions can have externalities and consequences for which the public bears the cost, not just the actor.
> why is it their fault that people cant control themselves
Nobody's ascribing fault here; rather, we're trying to understand the bigger picture.