On page 109, Goldman claims that \"especially when decisions are important to th

Question

On page 109, Goldman claims that "especially when decisions are important to the course of our lives, we are unwilling to relinquish them to others, even in exchange for a higher probability of happiness or less risk of suffering." This claim is an important part of his argument against the 3rd premise of the argument for medical paternalism (pg 107). 1. Give an original example that illustrates this claim. 2. Explain why it is that, if Goldman's claim is correct, then premise 3 of the argument for medical paternalism must be false.

Explanation / Answer

MEDICAL PATERNALISM: Medical paternalism is also known as Patient Autonomy. It is defined as interfering with patient freedom for his or her well being; patient autonomy means being able to act and make decision intentionally, with understanding, and without controlling influences. Alan Goldman states his argument against a strong doctor-patient role differentiation, in which the doctor may act against a patients' will so to conduct the treatment for patient well being. He said it is the person's whims to decide his future and that is the important. Goldman refutes medical paternalism by introducing various argument that support his cases. In one of his argument he states that -the fundamental faulty premise in the argument for paternalistic role differentiation for doctor isthat which assumes the health or prolonged life must take absolutely prioritybin the patients' value ordering. He states that in reality individual donot consistently act in order to minimize loss of life although the long term preferences is to live long. If individual did prioritize minimum loss of life constantly all efforts would be strictly directed towards health related issues. He states that it is illogical for a doctor to determine what is best for the patient when this kind of doctor cannot speak for what the patient set of values or priorities. The second aspect revolve round on the value of self determination.. He argues that doctor cannot know about the true interest of patient as because patient are unaware about their own interest, So doctor feels that patient are not in track to take a right decision. So when doctors takes a decision for patient well being it is very difficult to predict whether the decision was fair or unfair. In such situation Goldman says that he can observe the both side of the argument. So he prefer medical paternalism is beneficial for some cases but all over it is the concern of individual autonomy. In the defense of Medical Paternalism did the doctors know which is best for the the patient.In this regard Goldman states that doctors have medical knowledge and idea about what is good and best but it is the body of patient who is being affected because it is the belief of patient. According to Goldman Patient have the right of self determinatiom, right to freedom to make their own choices. They also have a right to take decision about their life. Here right also indicates that right to be told about the truthof one's condition and patient have a right to accept or refuse the treatment on the basis of information . For example if a patient is having a kidney failure, and doctor prescribes that he need transplantation then it will be solely a patients' decision whether he or she will proceed towards transplantation or not.

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