or unconscious, they do not possess the rationality or ability to make decisions for themselves and any decisions made on their behalf would be soft paternalism.

Hard paternalists say that at least sometimes one is entitled to prevent him from crossing the bridge and committing suicide. Hard paternalism does not rely on the absence of rationality or ability. In the emergency room example, the patient is sober or conscious and possesses the rationality and ability to make decisions about their care. Any decision that is made on their behalf