Autonomy and Patients' DecisionsPatient autonomy is an important concept in the clinical context, but the idea in contemporary bioethics discussions is often muddled. By looking closely at the ideas of Rosseau, Kant, and Mill, Autonomy and Patients' Decisions traces the modern concept of autonomy from its historical roots. Charting the changes in notions of autonomy in Beauchamp and Childress's seminal Principles of Biomedical Ethics to provide an overview of how autonomy has been viewed in the field, Merle Spriggs then identifies the four distinct notions of autonomy being referred to in contemporary discussion. The examination of these notions, especially the "descriptive psychological" account, in relation to case studies provides a clear concept of autonomy, compatible with both consequentialist and rights-based theories of ethics. This book provides a clear understanding of patient autonomy and will prove essential reading for health care professionals, bioethicsts, and philosophers. |
Contents
KANTS IDEA OF AUTONOMY | 3 |
MILLIAN IDEAS IN CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATIONS OF AUTONOMY | 27 |
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONTEMPORARY IDEA OF AUTONOMY | 39 |
DIFFERENT NOTIONS OF AUTONOMY | 71 |
DIFFERENT NOTIONS OF AUTONOMY IDENTIFIED | 73 |
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFERENT CONCEPTIONS OF AUTONOMY | 105 |
THE SEARCH FOR A BETTER MORE DEFENSIBLE THEORY | 143 |
CAN A GOOD DESCRIPTIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL ACCOUNT OF AUTONOMY BE ACHIEVED? | 145 |
SOME TEST CASES FOR THEORIES OF AUTONOMY | 185 |
CONCLUSION PRELIMINARY IDEAS FOR A BETTER MORE USEFUL THEORY FOR THE CLINICAL CONTEXT | 233 |
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | |
Common terms and phrases
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