End of Life Decision Making like Euthanasia

End of Life Decision Making like Euthanasia

Introduction

Antipathy is not a word but it is the position or it is a feeling because of which Jurisprudence has been generated. No doubt, father of Jurisprudence, Bentham, not only describe antipathy as the deciding factor of law and legislation but also as an exercise which cause a powerful influence over the morals of man. As Bentham defined antipathy in six distinct parts as repugnance of sense, wounded pride, individual resistance and power, confidence in future, desire of unanimity and last but not the least envy. Bentham describes it as a cause that gives rise to the feeling of sympathy in the society. The theory of pleasure and pain is described as a test through which sanctions may be formed (Sheeraz 2007).

Undoubtedly pleasure and pains are corresponding to each other but sometimes the pain is too severe to explain not only to a particular but also for their near and dear along with the attached part of society, this type of pain is really questionable that whether it can be perfectly cured by any law by the end of subject matter or to left the subject matter in its position to fight with its pain. In fact pain and sufferings in the way of dying is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself. Here, it can be said “It is not death one fears to face, but dying”. It means that one does not fear to face the darkness of death but fears to go through the sufferings in dying when everyone knows the result- that is, ultimately the end of subject matter. To give the end to the subject matter in a spite of unbearable sufferings and pain where death is certain, is known as concept of euthanasia.

Meaning of Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependant human being for his or her alleged benefit [www.euthanasia.com (visited on March 24, 2008)]. Somehow the meaning of Euthanasia is explained in light of suicide while suicide is, many agree, considered as murder except that it is the victim who is the author himself. One of its kinds is assisted suicide which happens when someone provides an individual with the information, guidance, and means to take his or her own life with the intention that they will be used for this purpose. When it is a doctor who helps another person to kill themselves it is called "physician assisted suicide (Chandra 2004)."

Classification

There are many different types of euthanasia which all have distinct definitions (Omayer Hashmi, 2003; The Issue of Euthanasia, p. 07). Euthanasia may be classified as (Shailender Kaur (ADJ) 2005 March, DJA Journal; 4 (1): 85-86).

Passive Euthanasia

It is defined as hastening the death by altering some form of support and letting nature take in course by following one the methods such as removing life supporting medical procedure, medication etc., or stopping food and water and allowing the person to dehydrate or starve ...