Religious Studies A-Level
Autonomy and Paternalism
What Autonomy and Paternalism means in Religious Studies A-Level, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.
Definition of Autonomy and Paternalism
The debate over whether an individual has the sovereign right to determine the timing and manner of their death (autonomy) versus the state or religious duty to preserve life regardless of individual will (paternalism).
Topics that use Autonomy and Paternalism
- Medical ethics: Issues in medical ethics with a focus on beginning and end of life (Pearson Edexcel A-Level)
Related terms
Using Autonomy and Paternalism in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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