Consent

Permissive consent releases people from duties. As well as playing a role in a theory of right action, this type of consent is at the centre of sexual ethics and medical ethics. Philosophical debates about permissive consent focus on questions such as the following: Under which conditions does someone’s consent create a permission for another person? For example, in what respects must the consent-giver be informed, free, and competent? What is required for giving consent? For example, is it enough to form a mental attitude or is some form of external behavior required? When someone gives consent, what determines the set of actions that they permit?