Autonomy and the Other

St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London

Autonomy and the Other A Day Conference on the Nature and Applications of Autonomy Friday 28 November 2014

Time: 9.30am-5pm

Lunch and Refreshment will be provided   Deadline for Registration: 21st November 2014   Autonomy is central to bio-medical practice and, arguably, has become the dominant principle governing bioethical decisionmaking. Practitioners are legally (and morally) required to respect the autonomy of patients, i.e. to regard patients as rational beings who will employ their own free will in making decisions about their health in terms of lifestyle and therapy. Yet, the concept of a solitary rational individual making his or her own free decisions has been questioned in recent years. On the one hand, an argument has been made to support a more relational concept of autonomy. On the other hand, it has been questioned whether any attempt to live autonomous lives is an illusion. This day conference will approach these issues both from historical and contemporary, as well as practical perspectives.  

For further details including how to register please contact Anna Westin – [email protected]