Introduction
The issue of human dignity comes into sharp focus in the situation debilitating terminal illness and/or end-of-life matters. Such a person may feel diminished both physically and mentally; and may reach a point where s/he may be entirely dependent on the efforts of other parties and having their fate controlled by them; this may ultimately progress into a state of complete incapacitation, such as coma.
For a person who was entirely independent during the healthy portion of life, this dependence would have a negative effect on the feelings of self-worth and self-determination; as such, have an effect on the dignity of the person even in death. The problem has raised the issue of assisted suicide to end a life of suffering and the role of such a patient in deciding when and how they will die rather than waiting for the natural mechanisms to grind to a halt.
Euthanasia and the Society
Religious organizations form an important part of the society, and their position is bound to affect the outlook of the society regarding any issue. The views of these organizations have a narrow range oscillating between complete condemnations and prohibition of assisted suicide; and justification of withdrawal of life support systems [DDNC].
A major common ground, however, among these organizations is that self-determination intrinsic in every person does not extend to deciding to live or die; and that life is sacred and should not be destroyed in any form. As such, a person can not claim dignity in death by choosing to end his/her own life in the face of an unbearable illness. While religious views do not represent those of the whole society, it is important to note that they are widely accepted as true, and they go a long way in shaping the views of the society at large. It is also important to note that some, albeit limited, portions of the religious front has started to recognize that life can degenerate to a point where it is no longer worth living, and should be let to end. However, all dignity is given by God.
Dignity and the Medical Practice
The issue of dignity in a medical setup comes into sharp focus in an environment where the facility serves clientele from a diverse ethnic and/or racial background. The patients may feel that they are not receiving the appropriate respect from the very onset, and usually worry of the amount of the same that they would receive as soon as they are completely under the care of the medical professionals. As such, some African-Americans for example, feel that they have to ‘earn’ their dignity by doing or saying something before they enter into long-term care of the professionals (Dupree, 2006). Examples of such actions include making prior funeral arrangements so as not to burden the immediate family with such when inevitable demise occurs.
Another area where issues of dignity arise is that of life support; many people from this group are of the opinion that life support should only be maintained if their cognitive abilities are functioning, that is they are not in a vegetative state; and if there is a good chance of reversing the condition. Such sentiments suggest that these people are of the opinion that dignity is intrinsic to every person (rather that earned); and that self determination, including in death, is more-or-less a human right; and that artificial prolongation of a low-quality life is an infringement of this right.
References
- Death with Dignity National Center (Not dated). Religion and Spirituality.
- Dupree Y. Claretta (2001): Human Dignity and Advance Directives: A Black American Perspective. The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity.