Thoughtful Accompaniment in Life's Final Stages: Philosophical Practice as a Complement to Ethics Consultation

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Philosophy of Medicine
• Applied Philosophy

Background:

• Medical ethics structures often lack space for deep conceptual negotiation.
• Urgent clinical situations can sideline profound philosophical questions, particularly in assisted dying.
• Existing ethical frameworks may not fully address the socio-philosophical dimensions of patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how philosophical practice can enhance medical ethics.
• To analyze the neglect of profound questions in ethics consultations.
• To propose a collaborative model between medical ethics and philosophical practice.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis drawing on Kant, Taylor, and Hellenistic philosophy (Hadot).
• Review of literature on philosophical practice in palliative and hospice care.
• Analysis of interim results from an ongoing research project on philosophical practice.

Main Results:

• Philosophical practice can provide a necessary space for discourse on fundamental ethical concepts.
• Assisted dying highlights the need for broader socio-philosophical engagement.
• Empirical data suggests a patient and caregiver need for facilitated philosophical dialogue.

Conclusions:

• Philosophical practice can meaningfully complement medical ethics structures.
• Collaboration can address complex philosophical dimensions in healthcare.
• A facilitated dialogue is needed to integrate philosophical considerations into ethical decision-making.