Regie over eigen leven: een zorgethisch perspectief

Abstract

The ethics of care uses a concept of autonomy that is richer than the ideas of negative liberty and independence. Autonomy is not only "freedom from", but also "freedom to". Moreover people are always autonomous in the context of relationships with others and therefore we can speak of relational autonomy- These ideas about autonomy imply another way of thinking about elderly care and the relationships between patients and residents, and nurses, attendants and doctors. Relational autonomy insists therefore on negotiated rather than merely informed consent.