http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23519067

Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2012 Dec;73(12):C190-2.

Understanding autonomy within philosophical tradition and modern medical ethics.

A Stephenson L, J Wagner S, Bolton D.

Abstract

The notion of autonomy is frequently used in ethical debates and taken for granted as a desirable value in medical practice. However, there is little consensus about what this term actually means. This article reviews the concept of autonomy within philosophical tradition and historical context. The second article in this series discusses the varieties of autonomy within clinical interaction and factors affecting the optimization of patient autonomy.