Buddhist/Catholic Views on Euthanasia
The Ethical Approaches of Theravada Buddhism and Roman Catholicism Toward Euthanasia Death in its simplest definition is the absence of life. In its more scientific definition, it is the permanent cessation of all physical and biological functions that sustain a living organism. It is both an intrinsic and inevitable part of reality. With the progression of society and medical science and technology, however, death becomes much more multi-faceted in its definition and in its ability to be controlled. Such advances in technologies undoubtedly incur debate and controversy over their use, and these controversies perforate through several social dimensions and scientific disciplines, such as law, politics, psychology, biology, philosophy, and most notably, religion. It is the context of religion in which death may be of the utmost concern and complexity, for in the perspective of this discipline life and death no longer involve simply a physical reality but a connection to a greater, divine reality, as well.
Certainly, most would want their lives, by reasonable means, sustained until the end of their lives inevitably approached. Thereupon, most would wish for a “good” or “peaceful” or “happy” death. Such desires are not controversial, but what constitutes both “reasonable” means and a “good” death is, especially in situations involving the purveyance of the latter by the former. Viewed through the lens of a religious tradition, these controversies can become even more problematic. However, when facing these dilemmas, religious disciplines display both diligence and caution in their ethical reasoning, while working to discern and define all morally problematic aspects, to identify the principles and values with which those aspects conflict, and to provide a resolution which enacts those values. In this essay, I will define euthanasia, a particular practice involved in end of life situations; outline how it opposes the principles and values of two
Certainly, most would want their lives, by reasonable means, sustained until the end of their lives inevitably approached. Thereupon, most would wish for a “good” or “peaceful” or “happy” death. Such desires are not controversial, but what constitutes both “reasonable” means and a “good” death is, especially in situations involving the purveyance of the latter by the former. Viewed through the lens of a religious tradition, these controversies can become even more problematic. However, when facing these dilemmas, religious disciplines display both diligence and caution in their ethical reasoning, while working to discern and define all morally problematic aspects, to identify the principles and values with which those aspects conflict, and to provide a resolution which enacts those values. In this essay, I will define euthanasia, a particular practice involved in end of life situations; outline how it opposes the principles and values of two
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