[Hermeneutics of the quality of life concept]

Medicine looks for reasonable criteria solving the problem of fair allocation of resources, assessing risks or discontinuing treatment. Further a reasonable measure is required for treating or accepting life in a reduced stage. The term "quality of life" seems to be like that. But it is generated by social politics and its problem, i.e. what people need for living, and does not ask whether a special treatment is useful for a patient. Thus the term should be used as follows: 1) only from patient's perspective, 2) as an undefinable term related to an "anthropologia negativa", and 3) reconstructing patient's preferences.