Ordinary and Extraordinary Treatments: When Does Quality of Life Count?

[Editor's Note: Kevin Wildes recently argued in this journal that the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary treatments requires judgments about quality of life. The author of this response suggests that Wildes is correct in his general claim about the nature of these judgments, but tha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inTheological studies (Baltimore) Vol. 58; no. 3; pp. 527 - 531
Main Author Meilaender, Gilbert
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington, DC Theological Studies 01.09.1997
Sage Publications Ltd. (UK)
Society of Jesus in the United States, Theological Faculties
Subjects
Christianity
Contemporary period
Corporal life ethics
Ethical aspects
General subjects
Health aspects
History and sciences of religions
Medical care decision-making authority (Law)
Moral theology
Persistent vegetative state
Quality of life
Religious aspects
Right to refuse treatment
Social moral
Christian ethics
Disease
Bioethics
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Summary:[Editor's Note: Kevin Wildes recently argued in this journal that the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary treatments requires judgments about quality of life. The author of this response suggests that Wildes is correct in his general claim about the nature of these judgments, but that he fails to note the important moral issues that arise when others must make treatment decisions for incapacitated patients. Then quality-of-life judgments are inappropriate; they must be avoided in order to respect that patient's actual condition.]
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
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ISSN:0040-5639
2169-1304
DOI:10.1177/004056399705800308