M.Cur. / Modern technology has brought on the possibility to sustain life for an indefinit3e period, but does not give answers to the questions arising from such situations. In view of shrinking resources available for tertiary care, and the growing awareness of justice, indefinite continuation of life-support therapy has been subjected to scrutiny. Traditionally the treating physician made all decisions regarding therapy. In Western culture the public are more aware of their right to self-determination and participation in decision making with the autonomy to do so. The nurse's role also changed from "handmaiden" to an independent practitioner who takes part in decision making regarding her patient. Decisions regarding life-support therapy is sensitive and becomes more complicated the more people become involved. The following question can then be asked: What are all the factors in decision making concerning life-support therapy? The aim of this study is to identify the factors in decision making concerning life support, as the first step in defining the parameters in decision making. The design chosen to identify these factors is a qualitative, exploratory, contextual, phenomenological case-study design. one case study was done on a patient where the continuation of life support was questioned. All persons involved with the patient were included in the case study. Interviews were conducted, observations and field notes were made and patient records were explored to identify factors in decision making. A narrative was written to present this information. As these constituted the micro-level, a literature study was done to identify factors on the macro- and meso-levels. The results of the analysis are presented as a list of factors in decision making concerning life-support therapy.

Sous l’Ancien Régime, l’armée française était, en principe, composée de troupes professionnelles recrutées sur le mode du volontariat. Son recrutement était par ailleurs complété par différentes formes d’obligations militaires comme le ban, le guet et garde ou encore la milice provinciale. Les aspects techniques de ces institutions, leurs origines, leur évolution ou encore leur ampleur, sont connues. Il n’en va pas de même des fondements et des limites de l’exercice du pouvoir de contrainte qu’elles supposent. Il existe certes des études classiques sur l’histoire de la conscription, du pro patria mori ou de l’obligation to die for the state. Mais leurs conclusions sont contradictoires, elles négligent la doctrine et la législation d’Ancien Régime, et leur perspective n’embrasse qu’une partie des conditions de légitimité d’une obligation qui impose aux sujets de risquer leur vie et de tuer. L’objet du présent travail est donc d’offrir un exposé des justifications avancées en faveur ou contre l’obligation militaire, et d’identifier les débats auxquels celle-ci a donné lieu entre le XVIe et le XVIIIe siècle. Pour éclairer et ordonner le syncrétisme des préambules de la législation royale et déceler les obstacles que permettent de surmonter les arguments, il a paru nécessaire de calquer le plan de la thèse sur l’ordre du traitement de l’obligation militaire dans les ouvrages doctrinaux. Or, ceux-ci abordent l’obligation militaire sous trois angles complémentaires, trois séries de conditions cumulatives correspondant aux trois appartenances qui définissent l’état des personnes : citoyens membres du corps politique ; chrétiens membres du corps mystique de l’Église ; hommes intégrés dans un ordre et considérés dans leur individualité. À ces trois séries de personnes correspondent alors trois séries de biens : le bien commun de l’État, le bien divin, commun lui aussi, et le bien propre des individus. Ces trois biens correspondent aux conditions classiques de la légitimité des lois qui, dans la doctrine thomiste, sont orientées vers le bien commun, doivent respecter la loi divine et être justement réparties. Ces séries de considérations permettent de structurer la thèse en trois parties. Deux enseignements peuvent être tirés du tableau des conditions de légitimité de l’obligation militaire sous l’Ancien Régime. En premier lieu, il révèle un besoin constant de légitimation d’un devoir mortel. Tout absolu qu’il était, le roi de France ne pouvait exiger ad nutum l’obligation militaire. Il lui fallait, au moins, avancer une argumentation et, au mieux, respecter certaines conditions. En second lieu, l’histoire des justifications de l’obligation militaire sous l’Ancien Régime est celle de la progression du bien commun qui permet de repousser les limites traditionnelles qui encadrent le pouvoir royal. Cette évolution n’est pas sans susciter des critiques de la doctrine qui, d’une certaine façon, cherche à protéger l’individu. / Under the Ancien Régime, the French army was, in principle, composed of professional troops recruited on a voluntary basis. In addition, recruitment included various forms of military obligation, such as the arrière-ban, the watch and guard or the territorial militia. The technical aspects of those institutions are well known, as are their origins, their evolutions, and their scope. But the underlying foundations and limitations of the enforcement powers implied by them are not. There have been classic accounts of the history of conscription, pro patria mori, or the obligation to die for the state. But their conclusions are contradictory; they overlook the doctrine and legislation of the Ancien Régime, and they embrace but a fraction of the conditions governing the legitimacy of the obligation for subjects to risk their lives and kill. The subject of this present work is to offer an account of the justifications put forward in favor or against military obligation, and to identify the debates it has generated between the 16th and the 18th century. In order to clarify and organise the syncretism of the preambles of the royal legislation and detect the challenges that allows to overcome the arguments, it was deemed necessary to model the thesis plan on the treatment order of the military obligation in doctrinal publications. They address that topic from three complementary perspectives, with three sets of cumulative conditions corresponding to three affiliations that define a person’s status: citizen, who are members of the body politic; Christians, who are members of the mystical body of the Church; men members of an order or considered in their individuality. Three series of goods correspond to those three types: the common good of the State, the divine good, common as well, and the individual good. Those three goods correspond to the classical conditions of the law’s legitimacy that, in Thomistic doctrine, are aimed at the common good, must abide by the divine law and be justly distributed. These sets of considerations help to structure the thesis in three parts. Two conclusions can be drawn from the overview of the conditions for the legitimacy of military obligation under the Ancien Régime. Firstly, it shows a constant need of legitimation of a deadly duty. As absolute as he was, the King of France could not demand ad nutum military obligation. He needed to, at least, put forward an argument and, at best, respect certain conditions. Secondly, the history of the justifications for military obligation under the Ancien Régime is that of a progress of the common good, which led to push back the traditional limitations to the royal power. This evolution is not without instigating criticism of the doctrine that, in a certain way, seeks to protect the individual.

No description available.

This essay aims to explore the tradition of visionary experience as expressed through the 4th century apocryphal text The Apocalypse of Paul. Emerging motifs from The Apocalypse of Paul is studied alongside those from the 1979 study on near-death experience, To die is gain, by German Lutheran priest Johann Christoph Hampe. A general enquiry it seeks to answer is; are the motifs in The Apocalypse of Paul of contemporary relevance, as testimony of neardeath experience? Further, this thesis aims to study possible correlations of emerging patterns through the theology of death and afterlife developed by the late Karl Rahner, as an attempt to re-cast traditional eschatological teachings of the church to modern sensibilities. Basic narrative characteristics in The Apocalypse of Paul is put in relation to the interpretation of NDE-characteristics in To die is gain. Correlations and/or discrepancies are put in relation to the eschatological thought of Karl Rahner. The study is structured around a disposition of The Apocalypse of Paul divided in seven subgroups. Each subgroup is analysed using Hampes’ tripartite division of the NDE-phenomenon.Further, granted the grouping based on Hampes’ systemisation, each section will provide a basis for study of Rahnerian theology of dying.

No description available.

Thesis (M.A.)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes older adults (65 years and older) have towards euthanasia. The subjects of the study were people 65 years of age and older who reside in homes for the aged within the Cape Metropolis. An equal number of subjects from the African, Coloured and European communities were randomly selected. A biographical questionnaire as well as the Euthanasia Attitude Scale and the Purpose In Life Test, were administered. The influence of four variables were focused on, namely age, ethnicity, meaning in life and health. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis and one-way ANOV A analysis were used. Ethnicity, meaning in life and health were not found to have a significant correlation with euthanasia. Age was the only variable found to have a significant correlation with euthanasia. The findings were discussed and certain recommendations were made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel wat die houding van ouer volwassenes (65 jaar en ouer) is ten opsigte van genadedood. Die proefpersone was almalouer as 65 jaar en woonagtig in ouetehuise binne die Kaapse Metropool. 'n Gelyke aantal proefpersone van die Afrika, Kleurling en Europese gemeenskappe is willekeurig gekies. 'n Biografiese vraelys, asook die "Euthanasia Attitude Scale" en "Purpose In Life Test", is gebruik. Die invloed van vier veranderlikes, naamlik: ouderdom, kultuur, betekenis in die lewe en gesondheid, is ondersoek. Pearson korrelasionele koëffisiënt en een-rigting ANOV A ontledings is gebruik. Etnisiteit, betekenis in die lewe en gesondheid het nie beduidend met genadedood gekorreleer nie, ouderdom was die enigste veranderlike wat beduidend met genadedood gekorreleer het. Die bevindinge is bespreek en sekere aanbevelings is gemaak.

Ethnically diverse older adults are the fastest growing population in the U.S. This population may experience transitional processes associated with immigration, acculturation, aging, and end of life (EOL). Advances in technology lead to increases in care options, which can cause uncertainty to make decisions for EOL. Unmade decisions about care prior to becoming unable to communicate are associated with burdens of last-minute decisions at EOL, unwanted intensive EOL treatments for people who may die naturally of old age, financial and emotional costs, and decreased quality of life. In the U.S., a multicultural country with a variety of care options, advance directive (AD) completion and advance care planning (ACP) may improve culturally competent and person-centered care at EOL. However, the rate of AD completion and ACP is low among Americans, especially immigrant communities. These communities, including Iranian-American older adults, have been frequently understudied, and there is a gap in studies of EOL desires, attitudes, and actions/behaviors. This inquiry focused on planning ahead for EOL care across transitional processes that older immigrants may face. The aim was to enhance culturally competent care for older adults through distinguishing significant factors, which may influence planning for EOL care. Specific purposes were: To identify relationships between attitudes toward planning for EOL care and social supports, spirituality, healthcare system distrust, and acculturation; to identify a relationship between attitudes and proactive actions toward planning ahead in Iranian-American older adults. Conceptual frameworks for this descriptive, cross-sectional study included Culture Care Diversity and Universality and Transitions theories. Findings from 135 participants revealed that they were new immigrants to the U.S. (mean year of 23 in the U.S., 97% born in Iran) and highly educated and insured with high health statuses. About 55% preferred non-intensive treatments and/or homecare at EOL, and 52.6% had not communicated their EOL wishes. Attitudes toward planning ahead for EOL were positively associated with acculturation and healthcare system distrust, and negatively associated with spirituality. No significant association was found between attitudes and social support. Furthermore, favorable attitudes predicted higher proactive actions to communicate wishes. Implications for practice, policy, education, and recommendations for further studies were discussed. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This thesis argues that the topic of active voluntary euthanasia (AVE) has been significantly neglected in existing political studies research, despite the fact that AVE reform raises fundamental questions about the scope and application of political authority. While this is predominantly a politics thesis in its focus, the thesis also draws when necessary on the broader scholarly literature on AVE, including literature fields such as ethics, as well as on broader public debate and the views of politicians. The thesis also examines, and engages with, the views of relevant traditional and contemporary political theorists including John Stuart Mill, Jeremy Bentham, and Amitai Etzioni. Whilst it will be acknowledged that liberal and utilitarian principles have helped shape and inform the AVE reform debate, and have useful contributions to offer, it is maintained that neither of these approaches provide a suitably comprehensive guide to policy. The thesis argues that communitarianism’s emphasis upon the communal good provides an indispensable counterbalance to potential problems that can arise with some other approaches, including excessive individualism and the uncertainties of moral subjectivism. More particularly, it is suggested that without an ongoing commitment to the principles of self restraint and ‘other regarding’ beneficence, legalised euthanasia could pose a serious threat to the welfare of vulnerable citizens. This is a point of view that is also expressed by many religious critics of AVE and it is argued that pro-choice advocates have relied unduly upon the separation of Church and State principle to deflect a legitimate criticism. Although it is conceded that a commitment to secular liberal–democratic principles is at odds with a legislative prohibition against the popularly endorsed option of last resort (beneficent) AVE it is, nevertheless, maintained that the concerns of these and other critics should not be ignored. Indeed, an examination of various case studies highlights the importance of ensuring a balance between individual autonomy and adequate legislative safeguards. Case studies examined include John Ashcroft’s controlled substances intervention in Oregon, US Congressional action to preserve the life of persistent vegetative state patient Terri Schiavo and Australian anti-suicide / active euthanasia legislation, particularly the Northern Territory’s Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. The conclusion of the thesis not only pulls together the key arguments regarding AVE but also highlights the insights which the AVE debate can provide for understanding broader issues in political theory and practice, particularly in regard to the rights of the individual and the responsibility of the state to legislate for the collective good. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of History and Politics, 2008

The legitimating of euthanasia raise the conflict of private and social interests. While raising the autonomy and wealth of individual as an ideal order to every state in the society of the second half of twentieth century people felt, that they have a right to carry out their decisions related to their as well as to the other individual’s way of death. In 1996 in Lithuania the legislation which gave the right to the patient to reject the treatment was adopted which is why now in our country we can also raise the question whether the right to choose the treatment is not enough liberal to call it the right to choose death.

Civil Liability in the Case of Disrespecting a Patient's Advance Directives The aim of this thesis is to analyse and describe the problematic of Civil Liability in the specific case of disrespecting a patient's advance directives by a medical. The institute of Advance Directives was first introduced in the Czech law by the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine in 2001 and later by the Law No. 372/2011 Coll., Act on Health Care Provision. Thought the Advance Directives cannot be considered as a new institute in the Czech law, it is hardly ever used in practice. There is no judicature and practical knowledge on the topic of civil liability in this case, and the insecurity causes that doctors do not feel like willing to respect the exceptionally occurring advance directives, because they fear the criminal liability they think that could arise if they did not provide the health care necessary for saving life of their patient. This thesis is trying to highline the importance of a patient's will. Meanwhile, it is pointing to the fact that even saving a patient's life can cause legal liability of a doctor. The thesis is primarily analysing and describing such liability within the general provisions on liability in the Czech Law and is also trying to give an insight to the problematic of potential...