| Abstrakt: |
Here are applied concepts from the work of Paul Ricoeur to discuss the philosophical and ethical aspects of "medical aid in dying" (MAID). Because Ricoeur made a personal vow to "live up to death," how he anticipated his own death and how he experienced his own dying as told in Living Up to Death, become for us an example narrative. (Two other contemporary example stories are added.) Along the way, Ricoeur's "apprenticeships" of aging, dying and death introduce matters of concern for those seeking MAID--including autonomy, suffering, suicide and the compassion of others. Ricoeur did not himself specifically write about the Death with Dignity movement nor did he seek MAID. However, what he did write about the meaning of our human mortality does shed light on the option of autonomy while dying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
