Dignity, Respect for Dignity, and Dignity Conserving in Palliative Care

One of the central concepts of modern hospice movement and palliative care is dignity. Palliative care retains the Asklepian tradition of Western medicine which stresses healing, relief of suffering, spirituality, holistic care and dignity, for those with incurable diseases. Autonomy, Dignity, and Respect Kant referred autonomyor autonomyof the will is the ability for rational self-governing. Dignitymeans one is able to make his/her own autonomous decisions. Kant also referred respect as an attitude of deference or reverencedirected at persons not just for their gifts or status, but for their dignityas autonomous creatures. There are recent narrowing and distortion of these concepts in health care ethics. Autonomywas narrowed to mean simply the ability of people to choose whatever they want. Kant’s autonomy originally meansto be able to stand back from one’s immediate interests or desires, and to express moral values, or to be self-governingin being able to act in terms of rules which should be valid for all. Dignity& Self-determinationThe question becomes that if the patient wishes some treatments, does respect for the patient’s dignityrequires that they should be provided, even if these are not in their best interestsaccording to professional judgments? Or are we only respecting the patient’s self-determination? Are they different moral concepts? It is because Kant’s respect originally meansthat this attitude is to be directed towards all persons equally.