Death is an inevitability of life. Any living organism grows old and withers away, making way for the new to grow and prosper. Because death has such a large role to play in the lives of individuals and the larger culture, there are many definitions of this phenomenon. Purely biological descriptions categorize it as a state where one’s cells cease their vital functions. Once every major cell in a person’s body has stopped fulfilling its responsibility, that individual will be irreparably dead. However, there are also other definitions. Other biology-focused definitions include a “cessation” of living functions, focusing on the ability of a person to perform basic actions that constitute living. Despite its definitions, death is typically diagnosed in primitive ways. If a person is unresponsive, if they do not have a heart rate or any signs of brain activity, they are effectively pronounced dead.
From a more philosophical angle, death is a process that separates oneself from one’s body. If the concept of the soul is to be believed in, then one’s death is simply a process that detaches the soul from the body. Other concepts focus not on the capability of a person to breathe or eat but instead consider dying as an inability to truly exist as a social human being. These definitions focus on the importance of individual agency and a capacity for decision-making. Because such definitions exist, it can be argued that even the people who are not physically dead are actually dead on a philosophical level. Those who are kept on life support through artificial means, or those who are wholly unresponsive to outside influence while showing vital signs – all of these people represent a dilemma in the discussion of death. Some consider such types of survival as separate from living and advocate for euthanasia. In cases where a person is suffering but cannot make an informed choice themselves, it is up to the family to decide what is best for their loved one (“Euthanasia and assisted suicide,” 2018). Euthanasia can be a viable option as long as necessary precautions are taken.
References
Euthanasia and assisted suicide. (2018, 7). nhs.uk. Web.