The Healthcare System of Strangers

Abstract

This thesis explores the flaws of classical autonomy in Western healthcare, and alternatively proposes a feminist ethics of care relational autonomy in healthcare settings. It proceeds in four chapters: a brief history of classical autonomy, autonomy's role in healthcare and medical ethics, an introduction to relational autonomy, and relational autonomy's focus on marginalized populations in Western healthcare. It concludes that to address the disconnect in Western healthcare between the patient, provider, and healthcare system, we need to shift to a more relational view of society.