Relational Autonomy and Multiculturalism

Unlike in North America and Europe, in other societies, individual autonomy does not play as central a role. In differing cultural contexts, relational autonomy is morally more acceptable than individual autonomy. Furthermore, in these cultures, when we talk about relational autonomy, the stress is more often on relation than on autonoma. In the Far East, in Africa, and even in some minority groups within Western societies, other values are considered more important. The typical Western emphasis on the patient’s autonomy and individualism is, from a global point of view, the exception and not the rule.