Debating Autonomy

About the author

Imogen Goold is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Oxford, and a Fellow of St Anne’s College, Oxford, UK.Jonathan Herring is Professor of Law at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Law at Exeter College, Oxford, UK.

Summary

Who is best placed in medical decision-making, to decide: the patient or the doctor? In this important new volume in the Debating Law series, Imogen Goold argues that the law should strongly support individual choice and autonomy. Medical decisions, she argues, are deeply personal, with life-changing consequences, and it must be for the patient to make them. Even in the event of those decisions ultimately harming the patient, fully informed, autonomous decisions by the patient must be supported by the law.
Jonathan Herring counters, arguing that placing the an overriding emphasis on personal autonomy does not always achieve the best outcome for the patient. He argues instead that in certain circumstances, best interest considerations must take precedence over autonomous decision-making. He suggests that the law does not support autonomy as is commonly claimed, but instead takes a much more nuanced approach, balancing the principle of autonomy against other principles and considerations. This is a fascinating addition to this compelling series which grapples with the most pressing issues facing lawyers today.

Foreword

In this book leading scholars of their generation argue the role of autonomy in medical decisions.

Product details

• Authors: Dr Imogen (University of Oxford) Herring Goold, Imogen Goold, Imogen Herring Goold, Jonathan Herring, Herring Jonathan
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 31.03.2019, delayed
• EAN: 9781509915682
• ISBN: 978-1-5099-1568-2
• No. of pages: 128
• Series: Debating Law; Debating Law
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Law > Labour law, social law; LAW / Medical Law & Legislation, Medical & healthcare law, Medical and healthcare law, Autonomy; medical law; medical decision-making