title: Advance directives and living wills.
abstract: The article focuses on the philosophical, ethical and juridical problems concerning Advance directives and Living Wills (underlining analogies and differences). The author makes a critical comparison between the theories supporting Living Wills (the liberal theory appealing to the principle of self-determination and the utilitarian theory on the "quality of life") and the reasons against them (with reference to the foundation of the absolute value and dignity of human life till the end).
authors.affiliation: Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta (LUMSA), Rome, Italy. palazzani@lumsa.it
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palazzani
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives / Q000941:ethics; D026690:Ethics, Clinical; D006801:Humans; D016224:Living Wills; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012297:Right to Die