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Full-Text Articles in Philosophy

The Choice Of Parenthood: Abortion And Protecting Autonomy, Nimmi M. Mathews Sep 2020

The Choice Of Parenthood: Abortion And Protecting Autonomy, Nimmi M. Mathews

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

This paper attempts to address the morality of abortion using a Kantian perspective on the significance of autonomy, a property that all rational beings subscribe to. I reject the oft argued notion that the ethicality of abortion is contingent on the ability to determine whether the fetus possesses the right to life. Instead, I claim that denying women the choice to obtain an abortion disrespects their autonomy, hence requiring them to take up motherhood against their will. I then discuss how Kant’s framework for morality is demonstrated heavily in the legal concept of ‘human rights', and yet this is not …


Autonomy, Oppression, And Respect, Andrea Wilson Jul 2020

Autonomy, Oppression, And Respect, Andrea Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations

While it is intuitive to many that oppressive socialization undermines autonomy in virtue of its ability to shape the desires and values of the oppressed, it’s difficult to provide a plausible account of autonomy that can explain when and why socialization is autonomy undermining. I provide such an account, arguing that self-respect is a necessary condition for autonomous choice and that oppressive socialization functions in part by undermining the self-respect of the oppressed. On my account, our choices lack autonomy to the degree that they are motivated by a failure to respect ourselves as beings whose plans and desires matter …


Proceeding Without Consent: The Ethics Of Disregarding Patient Preference For Paternalistic Reasons, Nicholas Munsey May 2020

Proceeding Without Consent: The Ethics Of Disregarding Patient Preference For Paternalistic Reasons, Nicholas Munsey

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Within the last few decades, modern medical regulations have brought the practicing medical community to an unprecedented level of accountability. Laws and regulations governing the practice of medicine were once, at best, loosely enforced guidelines; practices such as experimental surgeries, dangerous health testing, end of life care, and treatment of mental illness were left comparatively unregulated. The introduction of patient rights and new standards for practicing have left the medical community with a novel dilemma: how might one approach a patient who, according to medical advice, is in need of treatment if that patient is unable to express preference or …


Ethical Considerations Regarding Paternalism In Medicine, Lola Holcomb Apr 2020

Ethical Considerations Regarding Paternalism In Medicine, Lola Holcomb

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Paternalism and autonomy are typically conceptualized as opposing theoretical frameworks. With respect to medical ethics, autonomy is practiced by the patient when he/she has liberty and control over his/her own medical matters, and his/her opinions supersede those of the physician. Paternalism is practiced by the physician when he/she restricts the patient’s autonomy (sometimes against the patient’s will) to promote health and well-being while discouraging undesirable behaviors. This paper details and analyzes a number of cases of medical paternalism in practice, both from the past and in the present day, with the purpose of examining associated ethical considerations. Attention is given …