PHIL 2025 Lecture 13: Futility LecturePhilosophy
Document Summary
Definition: serving no purpose, completely ineffective ( webster"s, leaky, vain, failing of the desired end (oxfords english dictionary, latin derivation futilis ( leaky) ( in greek mythology daughters of danaus were condemned to draw water in leaky sieves) The danaides, oil by john william waterhouse; 1903. The unacceptable likelihood of achieving an effect that the patient has the capacity to appreciate as a benefit. (schneiderman (j. bioeth inq 2011 june) Rise and fall of futility nejm july 27, 2000. The term was unrecognized in medical literature prior to 1987. The concept of futility is not new however. Refuse to treat those who are overmastered by their disease, realizing that in such cases medicine is powerless. (hippocrates) Asclepius taught that medicine was for those who were healthy in their nature but were suffering from a specific disease; he rid them of it then ordered them to live as usual.
