Theravada Buddhism and Roman Catholicism on the Moral Permissibility of Palliative Sedation: A Blurred Demarcation Line
DOI
10.1007/s10943-021-01464-7
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
4-1-2022
Publication Title
Journal of Religion and Health
Volume
61
Issue
2
First Page
1405
Last Page
1417
ISSN
224197
Keywords
Ahiṃsā, Buddhist bioethics, Catholic bioethics, Palliative sedation, Principle of double effect
Abstract
Although Theravada Buddhism and Roman Catholicism agree on the moral justification for palliative sedation, they differ on the premises underlying the justification. While Catholicism justifies palliative sedation on the ground of the Principle of Double Effect, Buddhism does so on the basis of the Third Noble Truth. Despite their theological differences, Buddhism and Catholicism both value the moral significance of the physician’s intent to reduce suffering and both respect the sanctity of life. This blurs the demarcation line between Buddhism and Catholicism regarding the moral justification of palliative sedation.
Open Access
Green Final
Preprint
Repository Citation
Islam, A. (2022). Theravada Buddhism and Roman Catholicism on the Moral Permissibility of Palliative Sedation: A Blurred Demarcation Line. Journal of Religion and Health, 61 (2), 1405-1417. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01464-7