Whose Choice? A Qualitative Inquiry into Professionals' Moral Positions on Euthanasia in Belgium

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Sociology of Medicine
• End-of-Life Care

Background:

• Modernity has shifted death from an accepted unknown to a regulated socio-political issue.
• Euthanasia (deliberate ending of life to relieve suffering) is increasingly prevalent yet controversial.
• Existing debates on euthanasia lack exploration of professional perspectives on selfhood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the conceptions of selfhood influencing moral and ethical viewpoints on euthanasia among professionals.
• To understand the basis of moral divisions in end-of-life debates from professional standpoints.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 20 in-depth interviews.
• Participants included physicians and other key professionals in Belgium's euthanasia field.
• Analysis focused on identifying differing attributes of selfhood central to their ethical stances.

Main Results:

• Moral disagreements among professionals stem from distinct selfhood attributes: autonomous, social, or embodied.
• Declining religious influence reduces existential anxiety, shifting focus towards personal control over death.
• Increased emphasis on choice as a core aspect of selfhood supports the desire for self-determined demise.

Conclusions:

• Conceptions of selfhood are critical in shaping ethical perspectives on euthanasia.
• Societal shifts, including secularization and the valorization of choice, contribute to the acceptance of controlled death.
• Understanding these selfhood concepts is vital for navigating complex euthanasia debates.