Consent

Consent is the voluntary agreement to participate in an action or to allow something to happen. In ethics and law, consent presupposes that the person has decision-making capacity, is acting freely, and understands relevant information about the action or intervention. Consent may be explicit, such as a signed form or a stated agreement, or implied, such as conduct indicating assent. It can also be revoked at any time.

Elements of valid consent include capacity, voluntariness, information, and scope. The information provided should be sufficient to allow an informed choice, and the consent must be specific to the purpose for which it is sought. Coercion, manipulation, misrepresentation, or withholding material information undermines validity.

Contexts. In healthcare and research, informed consent is required before medical procedures or participation in studies, with ongoing opportunities to withdraw. In data protection, consent is a basis for processing personal data, and must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous; individuals may withdraw consent. In contract law and day-to-day interactions, consent may be implied by conduct or explicit via an agreement or terms.

Sexual activity requires consent that is voluntary, informed, enthusiastic, and ongoing; lack of consent is a basis for wrongdoing. Age of consent laws, mental capacity provisions, and coercion rules vary by jurisdiction.

Limitations and debates include whether consent can be fully informed in complex situations, cultural differences in understanding autonomy, and the tension between personal autonomy and communal or legal constraints. The concept remains central to rights, privacy, and ethical practice.