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Autonomy and dignity: a discussion on contingency and dominance
1Communication Studies Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB-Free University of Brussels), Centre for Studies on Media and Culture, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium, levbruss@vub.ac.be.
Summary
Discussions on end-of-life care reveal a focus on dying well, emphasizing autonomy and dignity. Analysis of euthanasia cases shows these concepts are often externally defined, limiting views of intrinsic human integrity and alternative experiences of a dignified death.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of Health and Illness
- Medical Ethics
- Media Studies
Background:
- Dying is increasingly medicalised, shifting focus from death itself to the quality of the dying experience.
- End-of-life decision-making discussions are framed around the concept of a 'good death', highlighting autonomy and dignity.
- Autonomy and dignity are contested concepts with varied meanings across different discursive contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To distinguish the various meanings of autonomy and dignity in end-of-life discussions.
- To analyze the contingency of autonomy and dignity in media representations.
- To examine Belgian newspaper coverage of prominent euthanasia cases.
Main Methods:
- Discourse-theoretical textual analysis.
- Focus on mass media as sites of meaning production and contestation.
- Examination of four prominent euthanasia cases in Belgian newspapers.
Main Results:
- A dominant, yet contested, articulation of rational-personal autonomy and external dignity was identified.
- Dignity was predominantly represented as something obtainable, retainable, or losable, rather than intrinsic.
- These representations reflect a late modern dominance of liberal autonomy and self-identity-linked dignity.
Conclusions:
- The media's framing of autonomy and dignity in end-of-life discussions often emphasizes external factors over intrinsic integrity.
- This dominant discourse limits the visibility of alternative ways to experience an autonomous and dignified death.
- Further research is needed to explore diverse perspectives on achieving a 'good death'.
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