The word ‘autonomy’ is often used in the discussion of software-based music-generating systems. Whilst the term conveys a very clear concept – the sense of self-determination of a system – attempts to formalise autonomy are at an early stage, and the term is subject to a range of interpretations when practically applied. We consider how the evaluation of music-generating systems will be enhance...

BACKGROUND Respect for patient autonomy is an important ethical principle for medical practitioners; however, previous investigators have reported inconsistent attitudes amongst practitioners towards respect for patient autonomy. This study in empirical ethics used qualitative methods to investigate GPs' attitudes towards respect for patient autonomy in consultations for low back pain. OBJECT...

Neuroscientific research on the removal of unpleasant and traumatic memories is still at a very early stage, but is making rapid progress and has stirred a significant philosophical and neuroethical debate. Even if memory is considered to be a fundamental element of personal identity, in the context of memory-erasing the autonomy of decision-making seems prevailing. However, there seem to be si...

Brian Clark's drama, Whose Life Is It Anyway?, explores the difficulties of applying the principle of respect for autonomy to real-life circumstances. In the play a permanently disabled patient, who wishes to be allowed to die, raises moral questions about the adequacy of the autonomous agent, respect for the autonomy of others, the authority of the law, the allocation of society's resources, a...

Indonesian central and regional government relationship often changes along with domestic political development people’s needs. Law no. 1/1945 contained the concept of Indonesia’s autonomy sovereignty, 22 1948 ‘the broadest economy.’ During 1950 Provisional Constitution era, 1/1957 6/159 real autonomy. 1945 in New Order Era, presidential decree No. 6 1959 stipulated autonomy, addition to 18/ 19...

BACKGROUND Patient autonomy is a fundamental, yet challenging, principle of professional medical ethics. The idea that individual patients should have the freedom to make choices about their lives, including medical matters, has become increasingly prominent in current literature. However, this has not always been the case, especially in communist countries where paternalistic attitudes have be...

BACKGROUND Respect for autonomy is a key principle in bioethics. However, respecting autonomy in practice is complex because most people define themselves and make decisions influenced by a complex network of social relationships. The extent to which individual autonomy operates for each partner within the context of decision-making within marital or similar relationships is largely unexplored....