PHLB09H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Paternalism, False Dilemma, Ovarian Cancer
Document Summary
Lecture 4: paternalism and patient autonomy: philosophical arguments. Recall: an argument is a series of interconnected assertions (premises) that lead to a conclusion. Various ways to engage in an argument: the premises don"t lead to the conclusion (need additional support, additional premises, take issue with the truth of one or more premise, take issue with underlying assumptions. Goldman: argues that at least one premise is faulty. The refutation of medical paternalism by alan goldman. Overview: goldman offers us an argument for paternalism, he shows why at least two of the premises are false, he then offers another argument for why autonomy is important. P1: disclosure of information to the patient will sometimes increase the likelihood of depression and physical deterioration or result in choice of medically in optimal treatment. P2: disclosure of information is therefore sometimes likely to be detrimental to the patient"s health, perhaps even to hasten his death.
