Reconciling Divergent Views of Personal Autonomy.

Personal autonomy is a fundamental ideal in American culture. When the autonomy of a person with reduced capacity is restricted or limited by law and a guardian is appointed, the issue becomes critical to our understanding of social justice. Preservation of autonomy remains a core social value even while the legal system moves to erode personal autonomy as a response to diminished legal capacity. This article attempts to make clear the seeming conflict between legal values and social values regarding autonomy. The aim of the article is to provide professional guardians and officers of the court with an understanding of autonomy that allows for reconciliation of these two perspectives. Contains 23 references. (Author)