Δικαιοφιλοσοφικά ζητήματα της ευθανασίας

Abstract

The issue of euthanasia is not new. Since ancient times it has been a topic of debate continued during the centuries until nowadays. Many aspects have been supported on this matter from moral, legal, medical, social and theological perspective. In this paper there will be an effort to examine some legal and moral views of the matter. There are a lot of definitions about euthanasia and this is a part of its complexity, as the term ‘‘euthanasia’’ has a different meaning to different people. In recent times, it has come to be referred to as an action motivated by mercy. In an effort to avoid prolonged and futile suffering, one deliberately brings about the death of another individual in as painless a way as possible. Euthanasia is classified in terms of the degree of consent, (voluntarily, non – voluntarily and involuntarily), of the person in suffering and in terms of the method used (active and passive euthanasia). There is also a short report of the issues of neonatal euthanasia, the shutting down of life supporting systems or physician assisted suicide, which are often involved in the debate on euthanasia. Moreover, there is a quoting from Greek law which is related to the subject and a concise report on the way that other countries deal with the issue. One of the main questions raised in this essay pertaining the criticism upon euthanasia is whether it reflects an individual’s free will to end his life on the basis of human dignity, autonomy and self- determination. The basic questions are if there is a right to choose between life and death, or the time and way of one’s death, when life is full of pain and agony due to an incurable illness and so the person looses his/her dignity and autonomy? In these cases, can we talk about sanctity or quality of life? Can we possibly decide, or are there specific criteria determining each? Is this a dangerous way of thinking about life? We will also examine the right of the suffering person to refuse the recommended therapy and the issue of Living Wills. In the last part of this essay, euthanasia is touched upon from the utilitarianism and deontology point of view and a moral appreciation of the practice is being attempted.