Question

Discuss the limits of autonomy (if any). Ethically evaluate and discuss the ethical ramifications of the changing definition of death. Critique the role of religion at the end of life debate and how does autonomy fit in.

Answer 1

Answer. Autonomy can be explained as a state of self governing or having the right of self government.

Limits of autonomy are many like, the age barriers, where the minors or aged people can't be autonomous in any aspect; the physical barriers, in which people with any disability won't be able to compete for self governance; the social status barriers, in which people with lower income or living standards won't make them self governing or autonomous.

Death comes in many ways,but the approach towards it, is one of the reasonable issues. People have many views on death. Medically only death is claimed by diagnosing the body of the patient. For example, when a person is said to be brain dead, many aspects arise for this. People can't decide or make self decisions when their patient is declared brain dead. Scientifically, the patient is dead because there is no chance of living after the brain dead situation but the family can't consider it that way. Doctors can ask them about organ donations at this stage, but before that family is not convinced with the death of their member. Medicine can only tell that the person is actually dead after this, but it can't help in convincing the family and showing them the actual thing. Many aspects of life work here, like ethics, culture and religion, etc.

Religion works a big role in such aspects. People who have strong beliefs in their religion, apply all th logics and concerns accordingly. With religious beliefs, people tend to start think about inner peace, spiritual fulfilment, etc. The family gets support and guidance from friends and spiritual or religious advisors, which includes giving different meaning to death. These religious aspects are one way effective for the family but somehow they interfere with scientific approach. For example, some religious beliefs do not accept the fact of organ donations or be living brain dead is the actual death of the patient. Such thinkings create a barrier between both the religion and science. But people with strong religious beliefs will never opt for any other customs besides their own.