The rise of dementia in North America has produced an increase in advanced directives among patients. This means more and more patients are choosing to depict the series of events that they’d like to take place should they develop dementia and enter a state in which they are not fully their current selves. An article written by Ronald Dworkin examines this phenomenon and the moral implications it produces. However, Rebbeca Dresser, an American legal scholar, argues against Dworkin’s view. Her critique provides an interesting debate about advanced directives and dementia patients, specifically outlining the ethical dilemmas and implications of the case of Margo, a woman with developed dementia. Particularly, Dresser argues against the following…show more content… However, upon deeper examination, Dresser's emphasis on the metaphysical transformation of personhood sheds light on the complexities of decision-making in dementia cases, ultimately offering a persuasive alternative perspective to Dorkin's approach. As mentioned before, Ronald Dorkin is an advocate for advanced directives. The article examines the case of Margo, who ‘despite’ having developed dementia, lives a remarkably fulfilling life. Dorkin states that regardless of her current state, the wishes of pre-dementia Margo should be adhered to. If not followed, it strips pre-dementia Margo of any autonomy she possessed. Her (Margo) advanced directive clearly states that there should be no medical treatment should she contract any other conditions while being a dementia patient. In the event Margo contracts something, there should be no intervention. If physicians were to intervene, he believes her freedom will be infringed upon and subject her to a decision she disagrees…show more content… Her argument centers around negating the belief of Dworkin, often shared by society, that dementia is a cruel condition. She begins by examining the lack of education surrounding dementia in North America. Specifically, the depiction of the condition is shown to be painful, endless and brutal to the patients and the patient's peers. Whether the peers are family, friends or caregivers, people often assume that they are suffering emotionally and/or physically along with the patient. Dresser contests this claim in her critique, stating that Dworkin’s entire argument relies on the assumption that any individual would not sanely want to endure dementia because of its falsely depicted image. Additionally, she provides that a large part of life quality for dementia patients doesn't rely on the condition itself. Instead, the activity, environment and care of the patients can drastically improve the quality of life of the patient (Dresser). Furthermore, the joy and fulfillment experienced by these patients often trump any understanding of the joy ‘sane’ people
