The Ableism of Quality of Life Judgments in Disorders of Consciousness: Who Bears Epistemic Responsibility?

American Journal of Bioethics Neuroscience 7(1): 59-61, 2016, DOI:10.1080/21507740.2016.1150911.

4 Pages Posted: 16 Feb 2018 Last revised: 12 Mar 2018

See all articles by Joel Michael Reynolds

Joel Michael Reynolds

Georgetown University - Department of Philosophy; Georgetown University - Kennedy Institute of Ethics; The Greenwall Foundation; The Hastings Center

Date Written: April 4, 2016

Abstract

In this peer commentary on L. Syd M. Johnson’s “Inference and Inductive Risk in Disorders of Consciousness,” I argue for the necessity of disability education as an integral component of decision-making processes concerning patients with DOC and, mutatis mutandis, all patients with disabilities. The sole qualification Johnson places on such decision-making is that stakeholders are educated about and “understand the uncertainties of diagnosis and prognosis.” Drawing upon research in philosophy of disability, social epistemology, and health psychology, I argue that this educational qualification is insufficient to address systemic ableism and other forms of epistemic bias in quality of life judgments.

Keywords: Minimally Conscious States, Ableism, Disability, Disability Rights

Suggested Citation

Reynolds, Joel Michael, The Ableism of Quality of Life Judgments in Disorders of Consciousness: Who Bears Epistemic Responsibility? (April 4, 2016). American Journal of Bioethics Neuroscience 7(1): 59-61, 2016, DOI:10.1080/21507740.2016.1150911., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3119957 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3119957

Joel Michael Reynolds (Contact Author)

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