Unfaithful Means: The Christian Limits of Extraordinary Treatment at The End of Life Public

Abstract

The medical system has changed the way people relate to death. While medicine allows people to live longer and healthier lives, medical technology can also be used in a detrimental fashion, specifically at the end of life. Greater numbers of Americans are using technology to postpone an unavoidable and imminent death. Instead of hope and healing at the end of life, when medicine is used futilely in the final stages of life, undue suffering occurs. This paper seeks to address these concerns through a Catholic lens. Utilizing magisterial documents and the work of recent theologians, a new category of ethical terms, known as faithful and unfaithful means, will be proposed. These terms incorporate the key principles of Catholic ethics to make the case that Christians are not obligated to prolong life at all costs. On the contrary, the most faithful medical care for the dying will focus on alleviating suffering and allowing for a natural death. 

Table of Contents

Introduction

                                                                                                                                

I. The Foundations of Catholic Bioethics in Connection to End-of-Life Concerns         

 

II. Ethical Mechanisms for End-of-Life Decision-making: Double-Effect and Ordinary and Extraordinary Means                                                                                 

 

III. The Limitations of Ordinary and Extraordinary Means                                             

 

IV. Faithful and Unfaithful Means: A New Approach to Aggressive End-of-Life Treatment                                                                                                                           

 

Summary Remarks                                                                                                            

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Candler School of Theology
Department	Theological Studies
Degree	M.T.S.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Ethics Health Sciences, Medical Ethics Theology
Mot-clé	end of life Catholic bioethics bioethics death
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Jackson, Timothy , Emory University

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