Let him pass

Despite moral uncertainty, the physician must respond when a patient complains that "God has forgotten me". In part one of this article, I, (R.S), describe in some detail my response to the individual who prefers death to life, and I end this section with the question: "Is what I do morally acceptable?" In part two of the article a philosopher-bioethicist, (M.R.), replies to my question: his answer-one of many possible answers-centers on the Catholic concept of proportionality. Although arguments based on moral philosophy suggest that my behavior is within moral limits, my doubts remain.