Hospice and Palliative Care

Biography

Biography: Heike Baranzke

Abstract

For about five decades the phrase “sanctity-of-life“ has been part of the Anglo-American biomedical ethical discussion especially about abortion and euthanasia. Nevertheless, the concept’s origin and meaning are unclear. Much controversy assumes that the concept denotes the absolute value of human life and thus dictates a strict prohibition on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Therefore, the well-known bioethicists Peter Singer and Helga Kuhse have proclaimed the necessity to replace the traditional ethics of the sanctity of human life-doctrine by a new ethics. They have stimulated a vivid sanctity vs. quality of life-debate.

In 2012, I have offered an analysis of the religious and philosophical history of the idea of “sanctity-of-life.” Drawing on biblical texts and interpretations as well as on Kant’s secularization of the concept, I have argued that “sanctity” has been misunderstood as an ontological feature of biological human life. Instead, I have traced back the term to the virtue-ethical tradition in ancient and medieval times, which conceives sanctification as a personal achievement through one’s own actions. On this basis a fresh start can be taken by asking, which consequences this kind of conception of the term may have with regard to hospice and palliative care in comparison to the utilitarian approaches of Singer and Kuhse.