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Adaptation and Autonomy: Adaptive Preferences in Enhancing and Ending Life pp 183–197Cite as

Refusing Life-Saving Treatment, Adaptive Preferences, and Autonomy

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Part of the book series: Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics ((SAPERE,volume 10))

Abstract

Consider a case of a patient receiving life-supporting treatment. With appropriate care the patient could be kept alive for several years. Yet his latest prognosis also indicates that his mental abilities will deteriorate significantly and that ultimately he will become incapable of understanding what happens around and to him. Despite his illness, the patient has been eager to live. However, he finds the prospect that he is now faced with devastating. He undergoes an unconscious process that results in his finding himself with a preference to die.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy and Behavioural Sciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Jukka Varelius

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  1. Jukka Varelius
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Correspondence to Jukka Varelius .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Behavioural Sciences and, University of Turku, Turku, 20014, Finland

    Juha Räikkä

  2. , Department of Behavioural Sciences and, University of Turku, Turku, 20014, Finland

    Jukka Varelius

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Varelius, J. (2013). Refusing Life-Saving Treatment, Adaptive Preferences, and Autonomy. In: Räikkä, J., Varelius, J. (eds) Adaptation and Autonomy: Adaptive Preferences in Enhancing and Ending Life. Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics, vol 10. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38376-2_12

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