Is euthanasia an act of compassion and love? It supporters say it is. Yet, this “compassion” or “love” is largely left undefined in modern discourse, including by those who advocate for euthanasia. When it is discussed by these advocates, love and compassion are often equated with feelings.
Joel Hodge suggests that “the euthanasia advocates have fallen into the trap of the fuzzy liberalism that relativises, sentimentalises and individualises human life and love. This movement, in some important respects, actually leads us to act against the dignity of others and the nature of love itself to commit murderous acts which were previously held in abhorrence. The privileging of choice and “compassionate” feelings over the fundamental dignity of the human person is a dangerous path, particularly for the vulnerable and voiceless, as has already been shown in places where euthanasia is legal. Further, the individualisation of modern life that privileges feeling and choice fits nicely into our capitalist, consumer system that manipulates desire, even to purchase our own death.”
Joel Hodge is a lecturer in the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University’s St Patrick’s campus, Melbourne.
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Australia Catholic University
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