Euthanasia as death on demand: social dilemmas

Življenjski cikel vsakega človeka se konča s smrtjo. Smrt je lahko nenadna, lahko pa je načrtovana. Med načrtovane sodi tudi način, ki je predmet tega diplomskega dela. Evtanazija je končanje posameznikovega življenja z namenom preprečevanja neznosnega trpljenja ter ohranjanja dostojanstva. Dojemanje evtanazije se je skozi zgodovino izjemno spreminjalo. Izraz, ki izvira iz grščine, pomeni dobro smrt. Kljub temu so razprave o tem relativno redke, predvsem pa konfliktne. Razprave o evtanaziji so danes obremenjene z veliko mero nelagodja, izrazito negativen odnos pa tudi ni nobena redkost. Če izvzamemo nekaj držav, kjer je evtanazija uzakonjena, je drugod to še vedno precej tabuizirana tema, razprave o njeni legalizaciji pa odpirajo številne etične, pravne in druge dileme, ki so potrebne temeljite analize. Slovenija je le ena izmed držav, kjer omenjena praksa zaenkrat velja za kaznivo dejanje. Ker se mnogo bolnikov hudega trpljenja boji bolj kot same smrti, je o evtanaziji in njeni legalizaciji nujno potrebno odprto razpravljati. Legalizacija evtanazije vključuje pravno regulacijo, ki bi možnost napak in zlorab zmanjšala na najnižjo možno mejo – prav možnost napak in zlorab je tudi eden od ključnih razlogov za nasprotovanje evtanaziji. Cilj te diplomske naloge je prispevati k razumevanju etičnih in drugih dilem v zvezi z evtanazijo in k razpravam o zakonski regulaciji evtanazije.Every person\u27 s life cycle ends with death. Death can be sudden, but it can also be planned. Among the planned there is also the method that is, at the same time, the subject of this diploma. Euthanasia is ending an individual\u27 s life in order to prevent unbearable suffering and preserve dignity. Perceptions of euthanasia have changed tremendously throughout history. The term, which originates from the Greek language, means good death. Nevertheless, discussions about this topic are relatively rare and, above all, conflicting. Discussions about euthanasia are burdened with a great deal od unease, negative attitude towards it is also not that uncommon. Taking away a few countries where euthanasia is legalized, it is still a rather taboo subject elsewhere and discussions about its legalization open up a number of ethical dilemmas that require thorough analysis. Slovenia is only one of the countries, where this practice is currently considered a criminal offense. Because of the fact that many patients fear severe suffering more than death itself, euthanasia and its legalization need to be openly discussed. Legalization of the euthanasia includes legal regulation that would reduce possibility of mistakes and abuses to the lowest possible level – the possibility of mistakes and abuses is also one of the key reasons for opposing euthanasia. The aim of this diploma thesis is to contribute to the understanding of ethical and other dilemmas related to euthanasia and to discussions on the legal regulation of it