End of Life Ethics

End of Life Ethics

The ethical questions surrounding death and dying are among the most urgent and contested in contemporary moral philosophy and theology. As medical technology advances, the capacity to prolong life — and to hasten death — has grown enormously, raising questions that previous generations never faced. This lesson examines the ethical, legal, and religious dimensions of euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care, with close attention to the key distinctions, arguments, case studies, and the positions of major religious traditions.

Key Definitions and Distinctions

Clarity of terminology is essential in this area. The following distinctions are fundamental: