By: Lubomira Radoilska (Editor)

Paperback

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Autonomy is a fundamental though contested concept in both philosophy as well as in the broader intellectual culture of today's liberal societies. For instance, most of us place great value on the opportunity to make our own decisions and to be able to lead a life of our own choosing. Yet, there is stark disagreement on what is involved in being able to decide autonomously, as well as how important this is compared with other commitments, for example in cases where our membership of a particular group means we cannot make decisions for ourself but have to do so collectively. In particular, mental disorder is routinely assumed to put a strain on autonomy. However, it is unclear whether this is effectively the case and, if so, whether this is due to the nature of mental disorder or of the social stigma that is often attached to it.

'Autonomy and Mental Disorder' is the first exploration into the nature and scope of personal autonomy with reference to mental disorder. By reflecting on instances of mental disorder where autonomy is apparently compromised, it offers a systematic discussion of the underlying presuppositions of the present autonomy debates in philosophy, law, and psychiatry. In so doing, it helps address different kinds of emerging scepticism questioning either the appeal of autonomy as a concept or its relevance to specific areas of normative ethics, including psychiatric ethics.

The book includes chapters focused on key methodological and substantive assumptions about personal autonomy and mental disorder (Part I); significant links between the concepts of mental disorder, freedom, and rationality (Part II); possible tensions between respect for autonomy and further values in the context of decisional capacity assessments (Part III) and; promising accounts of autonomy with reference to mental disorder (Part IV).

Including chapters from a range of leading figures from medicine and the humanities, this is an important and thought provoking new contribution to the philosophy and psychiatry literature

Lubomira Radoilska: Introduction: personal autonomy, decisional capacity, and mental disorder Part I: Mapping the conceptual landscape 1: Jane Heal: Mental disorder and the value(s) of 'autonomy' 2: Alfred R. Mele: Autonomy and neuroscience 3: K.W.M. (Bill) Fulford and Lubomira Radoilska: Three challenges from delusion for theories of autonomy Part II: Autonomy in light of mental disorder 4: Derek Bolton and Natalie Banner: Does mental disorder involve loss of personal autonomy? 5: Lisa Bortolotti, Rochelle Cox, Matthew Broome, and Matteo Mameli: Rationality and self-knowledge in delusion and confabulation: implications for autonomy as self-governance 6: Jennifer Radden: Privacy and patient autonomy in mental health care Part III: Rethinking capacity and respect for autonomy 7: Jules Holroyd: Clarifying capacity: value and reasons 8: Elizabeth Fistein: Conceptions of the good and the Mental Capacity Act 9: Hallvard Lillehammer: Autonomy, value, and the first person Part IV: Emerging alternatives 10: Guy A.M. Widdershoven and Tineke A. Abma: Autonomy, practical rationality, and moral deliberation 11: Grant Gillett: How do I learn to be me again? Autonomy, life skills, and identity 12: Lubomira Radoilska: Autonomy and Ulysses arrangements

ISBN: 9780199595426
ISBN-10: 0199595429
Series: IPPP
Audience: Professional
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number Of Pages: 328
Published: 19th April 2012
Dimensions (cm): 23.4 x 15.5  x 1.85
Weight (kg): 0.508