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Case Study On Death And Dying George

Case Study Instructions:

Case Study on Death and Dying Please complete following instruction in template and case study attached along with titles and subheadings. Please let me know any questions thank you.





  1. How would each religion interpret the nature of George’s malady and suffering? Is there a “why” to his disease and suffering? (i.e., is there a reason for why George is ill, beyond the reality of physical malady?)


  2. In George’s analysis of his own life, how would each religion think about the value of his life as a person, and value of his life with ALS?


  3. What sorts of values and considerations would each religion focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?


  4. Given the above, what options would be morally justified under each religion for George and why?


  5. Finally, present and defend your own view.


Case Study Sample Content Preview:

Case Study on Death and Dying
Your Name
Grand Canyon University: PHI 413V
September 11, 2016
Abstract
Acute diseases just like lifelong disabilities can be daunting for anyone, especially in times where the prognosis include the probability of death. Due to this much research and practice has shifted its attention to a more ‘caring’ and ‘organic’, and teleological approach in times of acute illnesses and end-of-life situations like these. According to Brown, Chen, & Kotbungkair (2015), “disability has been characterized as a series of losses with which one must adjust, including the loss of a sense of control over one’s destiny, the loss of the ability to plan for the future, and the loss of a sense of fairness in the world.” It is not surprising that many people in the world who has lost the “essence of living” due to their unfortunate circumstance are now opting for the process of ‘mercy killing’ (aka euthanasia). However, this trend is not the same as the whole world but varies across cultures and religions (Brown, Chen, & Kotbungkair, 2015). Research has found that religion and spirituality have important effects on an individual’s decision on committing this legal suicide. Effects that comes from a religion’s tenets, principles, and philosophy. Thus, in order to help in the existing pool of knowledge, the author analyzed two major religions around the globe – Christianity and Buddhism – and used a hypothetical case study of George, a successful lawyer in his mid-fifties, where he was afflicted with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and ethical analysis of practicing euthanasia for his case. Much emphasis would be given on the beliefs that these religious systems have. Towards the end of the paper, the author concludes how these two belief systems would most likely prevent George from committing euthanasia.
Introduction
These days, most healthcare providers recognize the importance of end-of-life care and spiritual counseling in times of acute illnesses. Research has proven that in times like these, getting in touch with their belief systems can affect patients to recover, accept, and make critical decisions about their life, since one’s faith also serves as the moral backbone of one’s decision making. However, there are also times when a patient is forced to choose between getting the ‘easy way out’ or the ‘living in pain and difficulty’. At first glance, it might seem that choosing between the two is pessimistic and unethical since this is making a choice between life and death. However, the patient’s decision is still, mostly affected by his beliefs in the meaning of life, the afterlife, and the moral justification of his decision. Thus, in this paper, a hypothetical case study where a 52-year-old patient – George – is diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is employed. Then his case is analyzed based on two different belief systems/ religions – Christianity and Buddhism. Research has found out that a patient’s relationship has a significant effect on the acceptance and adjustment of a disability (Reed, 1992; as cited by Brown, Chen, & Kotbungkair, 2015). Assuming that George is a deeply devoted in each of these religions, the author believed that he would not opt to commit euthanasia since it would contradict the very tenets of these religions.
Brief Overview of Each Religion
Christianity
What is a prime reality?
Christianity believes in the ultimate struggle between the good and the evil that had already existed even before that world was created in the “week of Creation.” Everything that we see, feel, hear, smells, and taste around us are the creation of God, namely ‘the Father’ of Jesus Christ. Regarding life and life after death, this reality is defined by Christians as composed of three places: Heaven, Earth, and Hell. Christians believed that these are the three places where the soul would reside depending on their acts in the present life (Earth).
What is the nature of the World around us?
For Christians that the world is created by God in six days starting from light up until the creation of the two first human beings – Adam and Eve (James, 2001). God created this world full of meaning and without an inherent trace of evil. However, due to the work of Lucifer (aka Satan) – a very exquisite angel that is corrupted by power, thus being forced out of heaven and made to live in the fiery depths of hell – men was afflicted with the curse of evil being forced out of Eden or the Garden of life.
What is a human being?
For Christianity, a person is created in the image of God. According to the Bible, “the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7; James, 2001). Because of this, human beings are also believed to be “of God,” “of temples of the Lord” and are sacred and born without the trace of evil (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; James, 2001). However, due to Adam and Eve’s original sin, the human race was inflicted with the curse of the ‘original sin.’
What happens to a person at death?
Unlike most other religions, Christianity is a more God-centered religion, from the creation of human beings up to their death, and even until the afterlife (Nelson-Becker, et al., 2015). During the creation, people were supposed to live in the eternal Garden of Eden where there’s no pain, anguish, and agony. However, due to the original sin committed by the first human beings, people were forced out of the garden and are cursed to “live and cultivate the ground from which it is formed” (Genesis 3:23; James, 2001). However, this sin was already lifted by his son, Jesus Christ, by sacrificing his blood and dying so that others may live a happy and eternal life.
Why is it possible to know anything at all?
Christianity believes in learning from both the human experience and God-given knowledge. When Adam and Eve were forced out of the garden, they were expected to cultivate the land to live. Also, the Holy Bible also portrays a time when the Holy Spirit came down to his disciples and taught them ‘tongues’ (many languages) so that they can preach the teachings of the holy spirit to the whole world (James, 2001).
How do we know what is right and wrong?
Christianity believes that God is forgiving. This is very much apparent when he sent his only son, Jesus Christ so that others could be saved. However, God has also provided us with rules on how to treat him and our neighbors. These rules are embodied when he gave the stone tablet bearing the Ten Commandments to Moses in the peak of Mount Sinai. These Ten Commandments, in turn, determines what is right and wrong (Exodus 20: 1-17; James, 2001).
What is the meaning of human history?
Unlike Buddhism and other religions, Christianity does not put much focus into effect the past human history in affecting the future but on the present decisions and act that we make. The history of humankind, according to Christianity, was always conflicted with the original sin, but when the blood of Jesus Christ was spilled at Mount Golgotha that sin was paid for by the blood of God and was washed away.
Buddhism
What is the prime reality?
Buddhist (Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism) conception of a prime reality is much more complicated as compared to others. Buddhism does not have a story based on the Original creation of the universe but rather a cycle of destruction and re-creation that has happened over vast periods of time. Also, these realities are believed to be very much different from one another with various stages called karpas. The ultimate reality for Buddhist is called Samsara, or endless existence that is ever in flux, impermanent, and ever-changing (Siderits, 2007).
What is the nature of the World around us?
As said earlier, Buddhism believes in multiple realities, with multiple worlds that have its own Buddha in them. The nature of the world around us is always understood to be in constant flux, where a series of birth/creation, destruction/death, and rebirth/re-creation happens. However, despite their seeming conflicting and complex belief like things (even the ultimate reality Samsara), Buddhism claims that it is the goal of the human mind to achieve eternal peace and enlightenment (Brown, Chen, & Kotbungkair, 2015).
What is a human being?
According to Loh (2004), Buddhism believes that “anyone can be like Buddha, an enlightened person. However, to do that one must work hard to be able to reach the state of enlightenment and purify one own’s mind.” Also, a human being for Buddhists is just as sacred with any other forms of life in the world, since one can be reincarnated as a grasshopper or a tree depending on their past karma (Siderits, 2007).
What happens to a person at death?
Just like Christianity, Buddhism believes in past karma, where the actions and decisions that you have committed in your previous life, can affect your present way of living. Thus, when a person is corrupted and sinful during his past life, he might be reincarnated as a tree or a fish in his next one (Hui & Coleman, 2012; as cited by Brown, Chen, & Kotbungkair, 2015). Also, the Buddhist’s image of afterlife diverge...
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