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    Beyond individualism: Is there a place for relational autonomy in clinical practice and research?


    Dove, Edward, Kelly, Susan E, Lucivero, Federica, Machirori, Mavis, Dheensa, Sandi and Prainsack, Barbara (2017) Beyond individualism: Is there a place for relational autonomy in clinical practice and research? Clinical Ethics, 12 (3). pp. 150-165. ISSN 1477-7509

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    Abstract

    The dominant, individualistic understanding of autonomy that features in clinical practice and research is underpinned by the idea that people are, in their ideal form, independent, self-interested and rational gain-maximising decision-makers. In recent decades, this paradigm has been challenged from various disciplinary and intellectual directions. Proponents of ‘relational autonomy’ in particular have argued that people’s identities, needs, interests – and indeed autonomy – are always also shaped by their relations to others. Yet, despite the pronounced and nuanced critique directed at an individualistic understanding of autonomy, this critique has had very little effect on ethical and legal instruments in clinical practice and research so far. In this article, we use four case studies to explore to what extent, if at all, relational autonomy can provide solutions to ethical and practical problems in clinical practice and research. We conclude that certain forms of relational autonomy can have a tangible and positive impact on clinical practice and research. These solutions leave the ultimate decision to the person most affected, but encourage and facilitate the consideration of this person’s care and responsibility for connected others.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Autonomy; care; consent; ethics; healthcare; individualism; relational autonomy;
    Academic Unit: Assisting Living & Learning,ALL institute
    Faculty of Social Sciences > Law
    Item ID: 19936
    Identification Number: 10.1177/1477750917704156
    Depositing User: Edward Dove
    Date Deposited: 03 Jun 2025 14:35
    Journal or Publication Title: Clinical Ethics
    Publisher: SAGE Publications
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/19936
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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