Respect for autonomy is a principle that directs us to value and place emphasis on choices that reflect core values or other beliefs that are important to individuals.
In the current political and legal context in Western cultures, respect for autonomy often functions as a trump card.
Respecting autonomy is not simply about respecting choice per se, but emphasizes the importance of respecting choices that reflect deep values. Fostering autonomy is also attentive to the range of available options, and is concerned with people having access to options that reflect what their core values. Concerns about justice are relevant to his, in terms of examining the range of options open to an individual.
Respecting autonomy does not entail a requirement to justify choices; we generally expect that choice should follow rationally from values or principles and the facts of the matter, but there’s a bedrock about choice being what someone who has capacity wants (Lantos).
Respect for autonomy is reflected in the requirement that individuals have capacity to make a particular decision. Capacity for decision making requires understanding the nature of the choice being made, the consequences of choices, and the reason for needing to make a choice in the first place.
It often challenges health care providers when individuals’ choices don’t align with those of the dominant culture or health care provider or health profession or health organization, and we often assume lack of capacity when individuals are making choices that differ from these norms.
Respect for autonomy is often contrasted with concerns about safety or with best interests more generally.