Posted by alexandra_k on December 12, 2004, at 16:46:13
In reply to Any ethicists out there?, posted by Dinah on December 12, 2004, at 14:02:32
I am not sure what you mean when you talk about not being able to get past the causal relationship.
Do you mean that If you get more agressive treatment for him (in the hospital) then the effect of that is that he lives for longer whereas If you don't then the effect is that he dies sooner?
Is that what is bugging you?
I think that it is perfectly okay to try to get beyond that by reflecting on quality of life. Not only quality of life for him, but quality of life for the other people who are in his life too. Now, if he was emphatic that he wanted to live NO MATTER WHAT then that would alter the situation, but he seems ambivalent and it is really unfortunate that this hard decision has fallen on your hands.
I think that it is okay to reflect on quality of life. Also the quality of the memories of the other people who are left behind. Also the quality of their life in looking after him at such an advanced stage of his illness. With respect to what you would want were you to be in his situation, well I guess that when their wishes are so unclear we can only do what we think is best.
There aren't any easy answers.
Hugs.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:428310
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20041209/msgs/428429.html