RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sleep softly: Schubert, ethics and the value of dying well
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 218
OP 224
DO 10.1136/medethics-2020-106937
VO 47
IS 4
A1 Dominic Wilkinson
YR 2021
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/47/4/218.abstract
AB Ethical discussions about medical treatment for seriously ill babies or children often focus on the ‘value of life’ or on ‘quality of life’ and what that might mean. In this paper, I look at the other side of the coin—on the value of death, and on the quality of dying. In particular, I examine whether there is such a thing as a good way to die, for an infant or an adult, and what that means for medical care. To do that, I call on philosophy and on personal experience. However, I will also make reference to art, poetry and music. That is partly because the topic of mortality has long been reflected on by artists as well as philosophers and ethicists. It is also because, as we will see, there may be some useful parallels to draw.