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Dying-with-dignity: Is all dying bad?

  • The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics
  • Abbr : 기사윤
  • 2010, (19), pp.125-154
  • Publisher : The Society Of Korean Christian Social Ethics
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology

Hee-Soo Kim 1

1백석대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Euthanasia used to mean mercy-killing but recently ethicists, medical doctors,and those in the law profession use the connotation of euthanasia to also indicate “dying-with-dignity.”There are many opposing arguments on euthanasia. Some say that euthanasia must be categorically prohibited because human life is too sacred and simply untouchable by humans. Yet most concur and maintain that euthanasia must be allowed in some cases. Are all forms of conscious choices for death, normatively bad and ethically wrong? There are various motives and reason that some choose death. Some people think there are values higher than life. They sacrifice their lives for country, religion, or other people. People praise and admire these people. Yet,some people choose death over the unbearable pain caused by terminal illness. Regardless, to simply impugn that all dying is bad and ethically wrong, is to do a grave injustice to those occasions where it is truly appropriate. We must avoid euthanasia as much as possible. We must pay a close attention to the voices of those who oppose euthanasia. But categorical prohibition of euthanasia is not the solution. Passive euthanasia that affords dying-with-dignity must be considered a vitally important option. This article presents the reasons why this option at times is the only option possible.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.