Philosophy 230
Study Questions:  Arras, "The Severely Demented, Minimally Functional Patient"


1.  Arras suggests that the first step in treatment decisions involving patients like Mrs. Smith
       is thinking about "what the patient would want" (421).  What are the two sources he
       discusses that might provide evidence for patients' wishes?  What problems does he
       raise for these sources?

2.  What conclusion does Arras reach in the case of Mrs. Jones, and how does he defend
       that conclusion?  Why does he think that the "best-interest" standard is of little help
       in such cases?

3.  What difficulties does Arras find for applying the "best-interest' model in the case of Mrs.
       Smith.  What is his "procedural solution?"

4.  What is one important objection that someone might raise against Arras' analysis of cases like
        Mrs. Smith?  How might Arras best respond to this objection?