The Domain of Autonomy, Limitations and Solutions

Increasing attention to individual liberties in last decades, has led to considering respect to patients autonomy and involvement in making medical decisions as a critical ethical principle. In spite of a general emphasis on the Importance of the mentioned principle, there is a wide controversy about the logical limitations of respect to patient's wishes and preferences in medical decision making. While a significant number of theoreticians believe in necessity of considering rigid limitations for respect to patient's autonomy, others emphasize on respect to patient's absolute and unconditional right of self-determination. This article explains and analyzes each group's main arguments and finally suggests a functional and logical approach to the principle. This method helps avoidance of disadvantages of unconditional respect to patient's preferences while considering autonomy as an important ethical maxim.