Politicians and Privacy

Shaun Young, DPhil
Special Projects Officer, Strategic Initiatives
Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation
University of Toronto

Abstract:
Privacy is often identified as an essential element of being human: adequately respecting human dignity requires acknowledging and (reasonably) accommodating individuals’ privacy. During the preceding four decades the “private” lives of politicians have been subjected to an increasing degree of public scrutiny; so much so that it might be argued that those pursuing or occupying elected political office – especially senior positions (e.g., heads of state, Cabinet ministers) – are often denied a degree of privacy commensurate with adequately respecting and protecting human dignity.
In this talk Shaun Young addresses the following question: Is it ethically legitimate to subject politicians’ behaviour to a degree of public scrutiny that is notably greater than that experienced by their fellow citizens?

Wed, Mar 22, 2017
12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Room 200, Larkin Building
15 Devonshire Place