Les directives anticipées : vers un respect de l'être humain devenu incapable ?

In many end-of-life situations, the central person has become incapable of expressing his-her will. In this context, can a living will serve as a guide for decision making respectful of the values which have been the substance of the person's life? Here we examine the living will as a means of self-determination after loosing the capacity of expression. In real situations of application, this apparently straightforward instrument raises unexpected practical and conceptual problems. Beginning with the theory of personal rights upon which the living will is based, our reflection progressively focuses on the notion of human dignity in a context of human incapacity. The tentative responses propose favorable conditions for adequate use of living wills with the goal of greater respect for human integrity.