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Autonomy and professional responsibility in care for persons with intellectual disabilities
Author(s) -
Meininger Herman P.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
nursing philosophy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.367
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1466-769X
pISSN - 1466-7681
DOI - 10.1046/j.1466-769x.2000.00065.x
Subject(s) - autonomy , dialogical self , context (archaeology) , meaning (existential) , emancipation , identity (music) , psychology , epistemology , sociology , social psychology , aesthetics , political science , law , politics , psychotherapist , philosophy , paleontology , biology
The meaning of autonomy in the context of care for persons with intellectual disabilities is clarified by a sketch of different views of the autos implied in autonomy. The dominating concept of autonomy is largely orientated toward realization of the self into a sovereign individual and toward an emancipation that is aimed at freedom of choice and self determination. The concept of professional responsibility connected to this concept of autonomy has a technical‐instrumental and contractual character. In an alternative view of the self as a ‘story’, authenticity and personal identity of both caregiver and care‐receiver and their mutual relation are of central importance. Professional responsibility then takes on a dialogical character. This dialogical character includes, limits and transcends the valuable elements of the dominating concept of autonomy.