Moving beyond end of life: The ethics of disorders of consciousness in an age of discovery and uncertainty
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2016
Department
Department of Humanities
Abstract
In a time of assured hopelessness, the vegetative state inspired the right to die movement. In the current age of discovery, diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty about disorders of consciousness prevails, while hopelessness is no longer certain. The social, ethical, and legal discourses about these disorders must move beyond end-of-life and right to die issues, to engage with the new uncertainty, and reconsider the status of these patients and the rights that follow from restoring them to humanity and personhood. A less speculative, more empirically informed approach to the ethics of disorders of consciousness-an ethics of uncertainty-is needed.
Publication Title
Brain Function and Responsiveness in Disorders of Consciousness
ISBN
978-3-319-21425-2
Recommended Citation
Johnson, L. M.
(2016).
Moving beyond end of life: The ethics of disorders of consciousness in an age of discovery and uncertainty.
Brain Function and Responsiveness in Disorders of Consciousness, 185-194.
http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21425-2_14
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/4084