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Patient 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, then identifing the four distinct notions of autonomy being referred to in contemporary discussion.
Respect for autonomy is a core principle of modern medical ethics. But what is autonomy? In Autonomy and Patients' Decisions, Merle Spriggs brings clarity and intelligence to a vexed issue. The historical background she provides reveals how the muddles arose, and the approach she suggests offers a promising way forward. -- Peter Singer, Princeton University Autonomy is the most widely appealed to concept in contemporary bioethics, but it is arguably the least well understood. This book is a great resource for developing a more sophisticated understanding of this much contested concept. I thoroughly recommend it. -- Lynn Gillam, University of Melbourne
| Historical background | |
| Kant's idea of autonomy | p. 3 |
| Millian ideas in contemporary interpretations of autonomy | p. 27 |
| The development of the contemporary idea of autonomy | p. 39 |
| Different notions of autonomy | |
| Different notions of autonomy identified | p. 73 |
| Critical analysis of the different conceptions of autonomy | p. 105 |
| The search for a better, more defensible theory | |
| Can a good descriptive psychological account of autonomy be achieved? | p. 145 |
| Some test cases for theories of autonomy | p. 185 |
| Conclusion : preliminary ideas for a better; more useful theory for the clinical context | p. 233 |
| Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved. |
ISBN: 9780739109182
ISBN-10: 0739109189
Audience:
General
Format:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Number Of Pages: 288
Published: April 2005
Dimensions (cm): 22.8 x 16.1
x 3.1
Weight (kg): 0.594
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