RT Article
T1 A Fate Worse Than Death? The Well-Being of Patients Diagnosed as Vegetative With Covert Awareness
JF Ethical theory and moral practice
VO 20
IS 5
SP 1005
OP 1020
A1 Graham, Mackenzie
LA English
PB Springer Science + Business Media B. V
YR 2017
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1567605532
AB Patients in the vegetative state are wholly unaware of themselves, or their surroundings. However, a minority of patients diagnosed as vegetative are actually aware. What is the well-being of these patients? How are their lives going, for them? It has been argued that on a reasonable conception of well-being, these patients are faring so poorly that it may be in their best interests not to continue existing. I argue against this claim. Standard conceptions of well-being do not clearly support the conclusion that these patients would be better off having life-sustaining treatment withdrawn, and in fact, it may be possible for these patients to retain a passable level of well-being. I suggest that further research into the subjective experiences of these patients will allow us to better promote their well-being.
K1 disorders of consciousness
K1 neuroimaging
K1 prudential interests
K1 vegetative state
K1 Well-being
DO 10.1007/s10677-017-9836-8