Ideas Autonomy is vital to MAID law and the right to die: ethicist
Jul 21, 2025
Arthur Schafer, a bioethicist and philosophy professor at the University of Manitoba, explores the vital role of patient autonomy in medically assisted death (MAID) legislation in Canada. He argues that end-of-life policies should reflect individual values and choices. Schafer delves into the ethical complexities surrounding euthanasia, emphasizing the need for respectful patient communication. He also discusses the significant tension between societal values and personal decisions, particularly in vulnerable populations, highlighting the evolution of ethical discourse in healthcare.
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Growth of Applied Ethics
- Applied ethics expanded into many fields beyond theoretical ethics.
- Philosophy now engages practical, real-world issues in medicine and society.
The Pig Farmer's Prognosis Dilemma
- Arthur Schafer observed doctors hesitating to tell a terminal lung cancer patient his prognosis.
- This raised ethical questions about patient rights to be informed about their own health.
Shift from Paternalism to Autonomy
- Medical culture shifted from "doctor knows best" paternalism toward patient autonomy.
- Patients today are encouraged to participate fully in decisions about their care.
