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Best Interests: Puzzles and Plausible Solutions at the End of Life

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Simon WoodsORCiD

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Abstract

This paper argues that the concept of best interests in the context of clinical decisions draws on concepts rooted in the philosophical discipline of axiology. Reflection on the philosophical origins enables a distinction to be drawn between those interests related to clinical goals and those global interests that are axiological in nature. The implication of this distinction is most clearly seen in the context of end of life decisions and it is argued here that greater weight ought to be given to the positive requests, and not merely competent refusals, of patients at the end of life. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Woods S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Health Care Analysis

Year: 2008

Volume: 16

Issue: 3

Pages: 279-287

ISSN (print): 1065-3058

ISSN (electronic): 1573-3394

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10728-008-0083-y

DOI: 10.1007/s10728-008-0083-y

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