IS THERE CONSENSUS IN BIOETHICS ABOUT END OF LIFE ISSUES? BEYOND POLARIZATION

Abstract

Contemporary Western societies are characterized by economic and ideological polarization. The latter refers to the tendency to hold extreme posi­tions on political and ethical issues. In bioethics, polarization is more noticeable in the treatment of issues at the beginning and end of human life. The author holds that the existence of serious disagreements on some topics does not exclude the possibility of finding important agreement on a wide variety of ethical issues. The search for consensus is essential, if we are committed to the values of mutual respect and social cooperation. The paper examines the roots of the current dis­agreements on end of life bioethical issues. The author proposes three end of life issues on which, in his opinion, it is possible to find consensus today: withholding and withdrawing disproportionate medical treatments, advanced planning of end of life care, and spiritual care at the end of life. Christian theological ethics has the responsibility to contribute to the search for consensus on end of life issues.