Physician-assisted Suicide and Theological Ethics

Lee, Chang-Ho

doi:10.21050/CSE.2019.43.02

The aim of this paper is to describe the theological and ethical claims that reside in competing assessments of the issue of Physician-assisted Suicide(PAS), focusing on the interpretation of autonomy, and to provide some constructive suggestions with an aim to mitigate the conflict and provide mutual enrichment. First, this research analyzes each of the ethical arguments for and against PAS in terms of the interpretation of autonomy. Generally speaking, the proponents of PAS emphasize the autonomous freedom of a competent individual to make a request for aid-in-dying, while opponents stress the social aspect of human existence and the responsibility of society as a whole for those who are suffering, including those who are in an incurable illness and dying. Second, this paper explores theological responses to the issue of PAS from Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed perspectives. This research highlights a communal understanding of human freedom and autonomy (Catholic), a notion of autonomy in the dialectic of radical sin and radical grace (Lutheran), and an emphasis on the paradoxical relationship between freedom and bondage (Reformed). Lastly, this paper concludes with some suggestions which could play a constructive role in both proponents and opponents of PAS, particularly so that the former’s emphasis on individual rights, privacy, and self-determination will be balanced by and reconciled with the latter’s commitment to the social aspects of human existence and the public responsibility of society.

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* 2021년 이후 발행 논문의 참고문헌은 현재 구축 중입니다.

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