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. 2013 Sep;39(9):570-2.
doi: 10.1136/medethics-2012-100911. Epub 2013 Apr 30.

Significance of past statements: speech act theory

Joanne Gordon  1
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Free PMC article

Significance of past statements: speech act theory

Joanne Gordon. J Med Ethics. 2013 Sep.
Free PMC article

Abstract

In W v M, a judge concluded that M's past statements should not be given weight in a best interests assessment. Several commentators in the ethics literature have argued this approach ignored M's autonomy. In this short article I demonstrate how the basic tenets of speech act theory can be used to challenge the inherent assumption that past statements represent an individual's beliefs, choices or decisions. I conclude that speech act theory, as a conceptual tool, has a valuable contribution to make to this debate.

Keywords: Autonomy; Care of the Dying Patient; Clinical Ethics; Living Wills/Advance Directives.

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