Relational Autonomy and Bioethics

This research project explores the conceptions of relational autonomy from feminist perspective and aims to address the following issues. First, this research will critically examine feminist critiques and responses to the traditional conception of autonomy and the principle of respect for autonomy in bioethics. Second, the research will investigate, clarify and evaluate various theories of relational autonomy, particularly of Susan Sherwin and Anne Donchin, regarding the nature, assumptions, conditions, and possibility as well as the relationship between self and social relations. Finally, the project attempts to apply the conception of relational autonomy to bioethical issues in the context of medical ethos in Taiwan with special focus on family dynamics in medical decision-making at the end-of-life and to propose some new perspectives and frameworks for understanding and analyzing the clinical ethical problems.

Project ID:PE10601-0255
External Project ID:MOST105-2410-H182-010-MY2