The trouble with do-gooders: the example of suicide

Journal of Medical Ethics 23 (2):108-115 (1997)
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Abstract

This paper describes the concept of a do-gooder: a person who does unwanted good. It illustrates why doing-good is a problem and argues that patients should not be compelled to do what is best. It shows the ways in which doctors covertly do-good and offers a critique of these. The discussion focuses on the example of the treatment of patients who attempt suicide

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10.1136/jme.23.2.108

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Julian Savulescu
Oxford University

Citations of this work

How to reveal disguised paternalism.Niels Lynöe, Niklas Juth & Gert Helgesson - 2010 - Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 13 (1):59-65.

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References found in this work

The Sanctity‐of‐Life Doctrine in Medicine.Roger Crisp - 1988 - Philosophical Books 29 (4):236-239.

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