Advance Directives and Transformative Experience: Resilience in the Face of Change
Publication Date
8-2-2020
Document Type
Article
Organizational Units
Sturm College of Law
Keywords
Transformative experience framework, Walsh, Dworkin, Dementia
Abstract
Walsh valuably deploys L.A. Paul’s “transformative experience” framework (2016) to challenge Ronald Dworkin’s defense of following advance directives prepared in advance of dementia (1994). In this commentary, I critique three aspects of Walsh’s paper: (1) the ambiguity of its initial thesis, (2) its views about the ethics and legality of clinical practice, and (3) its interpretation and application of Dworkin’s and Paul’s views. I also consider what Walsh’s proposal would mean for people facing the prospect of dementia. I conclude that our reasons to honor many advance directives survive the move to a transformative experience framework.
Recommended Citation
Govind C. Persad, Advance Directives and Transformative Experience: Resilience in the Face of Change, 20 Am. J. Bioethics 69 (2020).