I'm back in Italy... have been in the U.K. doing work for my doctorate (which is also dealing with medical ethics).

I noted some recent comments and this is what I have to say. The mistake that most people make is that they "assume" that anyone, who is arguing against euthanasia is always using a Catholic religious base and this is simply not true. In fact most arguments against euthanasia are non-religious based. Their arguments are based in "rights" dialogue, logic, moral theory, a care ethic, and history itself. If you have not studied philosophy then of course you would never know this.

Euthanasia is nothing new; it was practiced already over 2000 years ago, but then humankind moved in another direction embracing the Hippocratic traditions (also drawing on Pythagorean philosophy, who were based in what is known today as southern Italy). Again the tide is changing, swinging back to the way people were thinking in ancient times. If this is good, I don't know. We modern humans need to reflect and reconsider both sides of the issue and what it means for human dignity and the value of human life itself. This is why it is so important to have studied philosophy and have knowledge of the human condition.

kfscala

Welcome back to Italy, Karin! Wish I were in the country myself... I am sitting in cold New Mexico, USA.

I think you're right in that the study of philosophy and the human condition helps us understand the WHY and HOW of the rights/wrongs and good/bad of this issue.

And I also agree that many people are not coming at this from a Catholic point of view... although most people (I would think....!?) are certainly coming at this from a moral (i.e., possibly some kind of right/wrong) p.o.v., and this is often based in a religious view of the cosmos...

And when laws are coming into play that involve making this decision for others, this is a big deal. When people make choices that impact my life or the lives of others than themselves, all of this needs to be taken into account.

I still think, though, that when individuals are making choices for themselves - as in the article Paolo recently posted - then what matters is not so much the laws in place, or the rights and wrongs of somebody else's moral view of the world, but the quality of one's own life and the choices each person has for his/her future.

I still stick with the opinion that each person should be allowed to make the choice to end his/her own life at a time of his/her choosing. I think the dicey part of this comes in when it comes to making the choice for others... then it gets murky.

Teresa

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Hello Teresa,

I am back in Italy, but was in Rome most of last week too, attending yet another conference. Rome is a nice place to go and do things, isn't it?
In my free time I really like to walk around and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city and the people who are there to enjoy it. Rome was so warm these past few days, temperatures ranging from 13 -18 C. Can you believe it? Many people were running around with colds--understandable with the swinging temperatures. When I left Milan it was -2 C and when I arrived at mid-day it was 14 C. Crazy, but lovely to see the sunshine!

Now, I am settled here in "very" cold Milan again.
But it must be cold over by you too there in new Mexico. I have been to New Mexico it is really a beautiful place!

Teresa the next time you come to Italy we have to meet up for coffee or lunch.
Regards,
Karin

Karin,

Coffee or a glass of wine would be great! Bet we'd have some great discussions.
And no matter the temperature, I would love to be in Italy! That would just mean more great scarves and gloves and coats to wear. New Mexico today is gorgeous; snow for two days, now the sky is blue blue again, with white snow everywhere on all the trees and buildings, glistening in the sun.

So... did you hear that that man with muscular dystrophy (earlier post from Paolo) was allowed to die? One of his doctors disconnected him, despite rulings by judges and so on. Now there's controversy about whether the doctor will go to jail.

And here in the USA, Dr. Kavorkian was just released from prison.

Teresa

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The refuse of the church to give Welby a funeral as wrong as can be.
It is not what the 10 command say.
JC sad He was for sinners....
Than JC committed suicide him self! He knew He was gooing to die when he continues the way he does.
How many early Christians went to the colosseum, knowing to die? Suicide to.
Why has Welby to live and die like an animal?
Church shame of you!