A non-ideal authenticity-based conceptualization of personal autonomy

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Moral Philosophy
• Medical Decision-Making

Background:

• Autonomy is a core bioethical principle, with various interpretations.
• Beauchamp and Childress's non-ideal theory defines autonomy by intent, understanding, and absence of control.
• Authenticity is increasingly recognized as crucial for personal autonomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a non-ideal, authenticity-based conceptualization of personal autonomy.
• To explicate factors indicating inauthentic decision-making.
• To defend the proposed concept against potential objections and test its applicability.

Main Methods:

• Building upon Beauchamp and Childress's established theory of autonomy.
• Developing a novel conceptualization integrating authenticity.
• Applying the developed theory to a case study of anorexia nervosa patients' decision-making.

Main Results:

• The study successfully develops an authenticity-based conceptualization of personal autonomy.
• Factors indicative of inauthentic decision-making are clearly defined.
• The theory demonstrates robustness when tested against objections and a complex case study.

Conclusions:

• The authenticity-based theory provides a fruitful framework for analyzing patient autonomy.
• It offers reliable action-guidance in practical bioethical contexts.
• The model is particularly useful for assessing decision-making in conditions like anorexia nervosa.