Ethics Essay: Euthanasia continued....
The value behind the facts.
Mrs Thompson is a vulnerable woman with a dying husband and
in poor health herself. She may be in awe of 'professional' people like nurses
and ministers and be confused by 'mixed messages' from them of how to deal with
this situation which life has dealt her. She may have understood from the
nurses comments that some definite action intended to curtail her husband's
life was to be taken. She may have understood from the minister's sermon that
'euthanasia' means to kill deliberately and with intention to kill, whereas it
appears from the evidence that it is a loose term that has come to have that
meaning.
In tackling this delicate pastoral situation it might be
important to do one's homework and consult with the nurse herself as to what
she meant by her comment and also, perhaps, to talk to the medical practitioner
in charge of the case, ascertaining Mrs Thompson's permission beforehand, if
necessary. The purpose of this would be to have some concrete medical knowledge
of this particular case so as not to further muddy the waters. Also it is
necessary to think through thoroughly one's own view of the case for and the
case against 'euthanasia'.
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