Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts

Major

Philosophy

Date of Defense

4-22-2021

Graduate Advisor

Eric Wiland

Committee

William Dunaway

Jill Delston

Abstract

In biomedicine, there are many cases where a patient is incapacitated and unable to make their medical decisions. Often, these patients have no declared decision-maker. This thesis explores solutions which promote these patients’ ability to receive beneficent care and have a respect for their autonomy by proposing a requirement for co-deliberation between a medical professional (medical expert) and someone who knows the patient well (patient expert). This thesis studies a case and applies three solutions: one where each expert has full authority and a final solution where the two experts co-deliberate. Co-deliberation is a conversation between the two experts to promote the best care for the patient while protecting the patient, whom has no declared/authorized decision maker.

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