Death, Dying, and Grief: End of Life Decisions

Death, Dying and Grief: Case Study on Death and Dying
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Death, Dying and Grief: Case Study on Death and Dying
End-of-life decisions in healthcare are some of the most challenging experiences faced by both the care providers and patients. Healthcare practitioners, for instance, face an ethical dilemma when faced with such requests from their terminally ill patients. A conflict of principles of bioethics ensues in such situations. A conflict of the principles of respect for the patient's autonomy and nonmaleficence would create an ethical dilemma for the caregiver CITATION Var21 \l 1033 (Varkey, 2021). Similarly, the patient's cultural or religious background may also create a dilemma in an end-of-life decision-making scenario. For example, the Christian worldview, whose principles and perceptions of life are from the Bible, deems voluntary euthanasia as unethical and in contradiction to the teachings of Christianity. The End of life decisions case study on George, who is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), raises such ethical and moral dilemmas. According to the case study, George's diagnosis will eventually render him immobile and unable to speak, eat, and breathe, making him dependent on others to perform everyday functions. He is contemplating the possibility of euthanasia to avoid the inevitable outcome and uphold his dignity and power, for the disease is incurable. George faces an end-of-life decision-making scenario that invites the application of different perspectives that patients would take to address the ethical or moral issues arising from similar situations. The Christian worldview and worldview perspectives are some of the standpoints that would help understand George's situation of dying and inform his decision on death. Provided herein is an ethical analysis of George's situation and decision from the Christian worldview perspective.
Interpretation of George's suffering from the Christian Narrative on the Fallenness of the World
The fallenness of the word refers to the genesis of human suffering in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve went against God's instruction and tasted the forbidden fruit CITATION She21 \l 1033 (Shelly, 2021). Their disobedience unleashed the wrath of God on human beings as they were chased away from the comforts of Eden to wander and suffer in the world as they fend for themselves. The sin committed by Adam and Eve unleashed evil upon human beings. In essence, the fallenness of the world marked the beginning of human suffering after humanity's separation from God in the Garden of Eden.
Consequently, falling sick or suffering a terminal illness can be easily perceived as a form of suffering the outcome of one's sins or sinful life. According to the Christian narrative on the fallenness of the world, committing a sin or leading a sinful life makes human beings fall short of God's will and purpose for their lives. Hence, George may interpret his suffering from ALS and inevitable death from the same as a consequence of his sins or sinful nature as a human being. Though there are other Christian worldview perspectives to evaluate and interpret George's situation and decision, the narrative on the fallenness of the world limits the inter...