The Paternalistic Model of Assistance: Problems and Prospects (A Socio-Philosophical Analysis)

The article critically examines the paternalistic model of assistance in the context of modern cultural, technological, and ethical transformations. The author explores the contradictions of classical paternalism, based on the "subject–object" hierarchy, and alternative approaches emphasizing joint agency. Using an interdisciplinary methodology (poststructuralism, Karen Barad’s intra–action theory, Bruno Latour’s actor–network theory), the study reveals the role of technologies, such as AI diagnostics, in reviving paternalistic practices. Special attention is paid to epistemic injustice, dehumanization of medical interactions, and resistance through self–help. The conclusion highlights the need to integrate technological progress with an ethics of reciprocity and horizontal solidarity to preserve the humanistic dimension of care.