Why is (Respect of) Autonomy Important?: Possible Cultural Preconceptions Surrounding the Argument for Autonomy

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When discussing biomedical ethics, we frequently favor the right of the patient to decide. This emphasis and respect for autonomy can overrule any number of other considerations. Therefore, I ask the following: Why is (respect of) autonomy important? A typical answer, and likely my own response, would include the importance of the individual’s right to make his/her own decisions. It is an exceedingly important component of any medical decision, and not to be taken lightly. The individual has final say because the body/mind in question is their own.

While reading J. F. Childress’ article “The Place of Autonomy in Bioethics”, I was struck by the potentially confounding factor of socioculturally different views on the importance of autonomy. As a product of American society, I have been raised to believe that the rights and privileges of the individual are paramount. Our culture and, indeed, most of Western thought, is centered on the idea that individuality (and the individual’s conception of that individuality) is to be encouraged. Given the dominance of Western thought in philosophical inquiry, particularly bioethical inquiry, it makes sense that a discussion of bioethics would take into consideration autonomy, the right of the individual to make his/her own decisions.

Free will is another Western presupposition that comes into play when discussing autonomy, the idea that we are the deciders of our own outcomes. Though I do not seek to undermine either of these ideas (free will and the importance of individuality), I think it is important to acknowledge and address the ways in which these ideas shape our dialogue. The reasoning behind the emphasis placed on autonomy is founded in the belief of both free will and individual importance. Should a society, religion, culture, etc. manifest a rejection of either of these principles, autonomy would, in that community, cease to be a worthwhile focus in bioethical conversation.

At the risk of bastardizing, oversimplifying, and/or misrepresenting my argument, I will lay out a general description of what I mean: If we reject the philosophical idea of free will, then our autonomous decisions (whether medical or not) become unimportant – free will is founded in self-determination and without it, predetermination negates the significance of choice. If we reject the sociocultural weight with which we measure individuality, if we cease to believe that the rights of the individual outweigh other considerations, then the value of the individual’s decision is called into question: if the individual is insignificant, why does their opinion and consequent decision matter?

Given that there exist many communities in the world in which one (or both) of these ideas is rejected, I believe reflection on the preconceived significance of free will and individuality under which we discuss autonomy is important to fully understand why our particular society and culture holds autonomy to be important. This type of reflection allows us to transcend our preconceived notions and the potential dangers that arise from not understanding or acknowledging our accepted cultural and philosophical biases.

In short, though I personally believe that a patient’s right to autonomy is exceedingly important, I must acknowledge that a) others- particularly those whose opinions have been shaped by different worldviews – may very well disagree with that opinion,  and b) my reasoning behind that opinion is founded in my own sociocultural and philosophical views on free will and the value of the individual.

Word count: 557

Works Cited:

Childress, James F. “The Place of Autonomy in Bioethics.” Arguing About Bioethics. By Stephen Holland. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2013. Loc 8698-897. Kindle.

79 thoughts on “Why is (Respect of) Autonomy Important?: Possible Cultural Preconceptions Surrounding the Argument for Autonomy”

  1. I think you bring up a valid point on the topic of free will and autonomy in your post. It’s definitely true that our medical system and concept of autonomy are shaped by sociocultural factors. As Americans we feel that we are entitled to the right to make our own decisions, which has its roots in our concept of free will. I do not feel that in the case of informed consent and autonomy that a rejection of free will produces the best outcomes in medicine. Such a situation makes it seem as if the doctor knows exactly what is best for each and every patient. The issue here is that every patient is different from another no matter how strongly a patient rejects free will.

  2. While one’s sociocultural background inevitably influences the significance placed on individuality, I believe that the extent to which one values individuality doesn’t necessarily reflect how one views the importance of an autonomous decision. The informed consent doctrine strives to create autonomy for patients. Doctors who practice Western medicine respect and follow the westernized notion of this doctrine. It is the patients’ values that matter in this case. Although some patients grow up with a sociocultural background that emphasizes individuality, there are also those patients who do not. If one’s sociocultural background is dictated by the values of a certain religion, for example, then a patient may be more inclined to value those wholesome aspects over individuality. However, that does not mean that they respect the idea of autonomy any less. Autonomy dictates free will, but free will does not simply rely on the value of individuality. Having free will is having the ability to make decisions for oneself. Regardless of what a patient values, a patient will appreciate being able to make an autonomous decision in order to respect those values. Ultimately, a low value for individuality does not undermine the respect a patient has for making an independent decision in terms of medical practice in order to save other virtues.

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