Moral issues of advance directives

Abstract

The letter Gratissimam Sane stresses that contemporary civilization based on utilitarianism treats people like “objects” and not like “persons.” The civilization of use potentially can affect family life. In this context, the paper considers the problem of advance directives. The first part the article offers a historical outline of advance directives which are related to the euthanasia movement and controversial legal battles over patients who lost their capacity to decide. The main reasons for having a living will or health care proxy follow. The second part of the article describes the clinical case of Mr. A., which illustrates the problems regarding the application and interpretation of advance directives. The last part presents a discussion of the case. It focuses on the dignity and autonomy of patient and physician and limits of the proxy decisions.