Of paradox and plausibility: the dynamic of change in medical law.
This article develops a model of change in medical law. Drawing on systems theory, it argues that medical law participates in a dynamic of 'deparadoxification' and 'reparadoxification' whereby the underlying contingency of the law is variously concealed through plausible argumentation, or revealed by critical challenge. Medical law is, thus, thoroughly rhetorical. An examination of the development of the law on abortion and on the sterilization of incompetent adults shows that plausibility is achieved through the deployment of substantive common sense and formal stylistic devices. It is undermined where these elements are shown to be arbitrary and constructed. In conclusion, it is argued that the politics of medical law are constituted by this antagonistic process of establishing and challenging provisionally stable normative regimes.
Professor of Law Cardiff University, Senior Fellow, British Institute in Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
John
J
Harrington
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003273:Contraceptive Devices / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007883:Legislation, Medical / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D033242:Minors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011057:Politics; D011247:Pregnancy; D013244:Sterilization, Involuntary / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D013598:Systems Theory; D006113:United Kingdom
D003270:Contraceptive Agents
Abortion; Contingency; Medical law; Rhetoric; Sterilisation