Chronic vegetative states: intrinsic value of biological process

A 'naturalistic principle' has been put forth by Rolston, which leads to respect for the irreversibly comatose by virtue of the residual biological (objective) life. By comparing objective and subjective life, he develops a naturalistic principle which he contrasts with the humanistic norm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Journal of medicine and philosophy Vol. 9; no. 4; p. 395
Main Author Freer, J P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.1984
Subjects
Bioethics
Coma
Death
Euthanasia
Euthanasia, Active
Human Characteristics
Humans
Moral Obligations
Personhood
Philosophy, Medical
Resource Allocation
Value of Life
Withholding Treatment
Death and Euthanasia
Philosophical Approach
Analytical Approach
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Summary:A 'naturalistic principle' has been put forth by Rolston, which leads to respect for the irreversibly comatose by virtue of the residual biological (objective) life. By comparing objective and subjective life, he develops a naturalistic principle which he contrasts with the humanistic norm of contemporary medical ethics. He claims there are clinical applications which would necessarily follow. A critique of this viewpoint is presented here, which begins with an analysis of what might be of value in spontaneous objective life. A measure of the moral worth of simple objective life is attempted by means of comparison with our attitudes toward animals. Finally, some of the clinical applications suggested by Rolston are reviewed. Except for euthanasia, there appear to be few clinical situations where the naturalistic principle helps in problem solving.
ISSN:0360-5310
DOI:10.1093/jmp/9.4.395