title: Nudges and coercion: conceptual, empirical, and normative considerations.
abstract: Given that the concept of coercion remains a central concern for bioethics, Quigley's (Monash Bioethics Rev 32:141-158, 2014) recent article provides a helpful analysis of its frequent misapplication in debates over the use of 'nudges'. In this commentary I present a generally sympathetic response to Quigley's argument while also raising several issues that are important for the larger debates about nudges and coercion. I focus on several closely related topics, including the definition of coercion, the role of empirical research, and the normative concerns at the core of these disputes. I suggest that while a degree of precision is certainly required when deploying the relevant concepts, perhaps informed by empirical data, we need to continue to push these debates towards more pressing normative considerations.
authors.affiliation: Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, Healy Hall, Washington, D.C., 20057, USA. kelso.cratsley@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kelso
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cratsley
mesh_terms: D003068:Coercion; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D010565:Persuasive Communication
keywords: Behavioral research; Coercion; Empirical methods; Nudges