Table Of ContentMedicolegal Library 2
Edited by A. Carmi
Euthanasia
Edited by A. Carmi
With Contributions by
R. Adams N. Berant L. A. Calaluca A. Carmi
H. H. Cohn E. Deutsch A. Drees D. Ehrlich
C. F. Hadding D. Heyd H. L. Hirsh U. Lowental
E.McClatchey A.C.Myburgh U.Qvamstrom
R. Reiss Y. Shapira R. Sharon K. A. Stem
S. A. Strauss
Springer-Verlag
Berlin Heidelberg New York Tokyo 1984
Judge Amnon Carmi
P.O.B.6451
Haifa 31063, Israel
ISBN-13:978-3-540-13251-6 e-ISBN-13:978-3-642-82239-1
DOl: 10.1007/978-3-642-82239-1
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data. Main entry under title:
Euthanasia. (Medicolegal Library; 2) Bibliography: p. Includes index.
1. Euthanasia-Psychological aspects-Addresses, essays, lectures. 2. Euthanasia
Social aspects-Addresses, essays, lectures. I. Carmi, Amnon. II. Adams R
(Rebecca) III. Series. [DNLM: 1. Euthanasia. W50 E885]
R726.E777 1984 174'.24 84-3099
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Introduction
The Medicolegal Library is the first and only series of its kind. Its
importance is self-evident. During the last decade, science, especial
ly medical practice, has become an increasingly complex under
taking. Recent dramatic developments in medicine have given rise
to both theoretical controversies and practical dilemmas. Society is
struggling with new scientific, economic, cultural, and legal issues.
The establishment of a series such as this appears vital for lawyers
and physicians, for sociologists and psychologists, and for the pub
lic at large.
The editorial board of the Medicolegal Library consists of dis
tinguished scientists from many different countries and disciplines.
Judge Amnon Carmi acts as principal series editor. Judge Carmi is
the author of many books and articles on medical law, and is Editor
in-Chief of Medicine and Law: An International Journal.
The Medicolegal Library will issue two books each year. The
first four books, soon to be published, will deal with child abuse,
euthanasia, disability, and nursing, laws and ethics.
It is the wish and intention of Springer-Verlag that the Medicole
gal Library play an important role throughout the world in the study
and understanding of the field of medicine and law, for the benefit
of both professions and of mankind at large.
Contents
I. Introduction
Live Like a King: Die Like a King
A.Carmi . ............. . 3
II. The Duty to Live and the Right to Die
On the Dichotomy of Divinity and Humanity in Jewish Law
H. H. Cohn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31
III. Law, Culture, and Euthanasia
Euthanasia Among Indigenous African Peoples
A. C. Myburgh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Euthanasia: A South African View
S.A.Strauss . ........ . 83
Euthanasia: A German View
E. Deutsch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 91
IV. The Doctor and Euthanasia
Informing the Individual of Impending Death
R.Adams, N. Berant, and R. Sharon. . . . . . . 97
Some Aspects of Euthanasia from the Point of View of a
Family Doctor
E.McClatchey ......................... 103
Euthanasia and the Family Doctor
D.Ehrlich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 110
Psychological Stress in Doctors Dealing with Patients Dying
of Leukemia
A.Drees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 114
VIII Contents
The Decision-Making Process in Geriatric Surgery
R.Reiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 122
V. The Patient and Euthanasia
Patients' Reactions to Impending Death
U. Qvarnstrom ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 137
VI. Active and Passive Euthanasia
Prevent or Aid Suicide?
C.F.Hadding . .... . . . . .. 151
Active and Passive Euthanasia: Medical andLegal
Considerations
L.A. Calaluca and H. L. Hirsh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 155
VII. Epilogue: The Serene Voyage to Death
The Meaning of Life and the Right to Voluntary Euthanasia
D.Heyd . ............................. 169
Quality of Life, Human Suffering, and Euthanasia
K.A.Stern . ..................... . 175
Euthanasia: A Serene Voyage to Death
U. Lowental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Subject Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 185
List of Contributors
Prof. R. Adams
Dept. of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tel Aviv,
Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 63474, Israel
Dr. N. Berant
Dept. of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tel Aviv,
Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 63474, Israel
L. A Calaluca
2801 New Mexico Avenue, Washington DC 20006, USA
Judge A Carmi
P. o. B. 6451, Haifa 31063, Israel
Judge H. H. Cohn
36 Tchemichowsky Street, Jerusalem 92-585, Israel
Prof. E. Deutsch
Juristisches Seminar der Universitat Gottingen,
Nikolausberger Weg 9a, 3400 Gottingen, FRG
Dr. A Drees
Psychosomatische Klinik 1,8740 Bad Neustadt a.d. Saale, FRG
Dr. D. Ehrlich
12 Kedushat Yom-Tov, Kiryat Yismach Moshe, Israel
Judge C. F. Hadding
Masungevagen 5, 13150 Saltsjo-Duvnas, Sweden
Dr. D.Heyd
Department of Philosophy, The Hebrew University, The Faculty of
Humanities, Jerusalem 92-585, Israel
Dr. H. L. Hirsh
2801 New Mexico Avenue, Washington, DC 20067, USA
X List of Contributors
Dr. U. Lowental
Eshkol Boulevard 22, Apt. 3, Jerusalem 92-585, Israel
Dr. E. McClatchey
40 Green Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Prof. A. C. Myburgh McClatchey
Institute of Foreign and Comparative Law, University of South
Africa, P. O. B. 392, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Prof. U. Qvarnstr6m
Bergen University, Hans Tangsgt. 11, 5000 Bergen, Norway
Prof. R. Reiss
Israel Surgical Society, Tel-Aviv
University Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv 63474, Israel
Rabbi Y. Shapira
10 Avraham Shapira Street, Netanya 42317, Israel
R.Sharon
Dept. of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tel Aviv,
Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 63474, Israel
Prof. Dr. K. A. Stern
Department of Life Sciences, Bar-Han University, Ramat-Gan,
Israel
Prof. S. A. Strauss
Faculty of Law, P. O. Box 392, Cor. Skinner and V. D. Walt Street,
Pretoria 0001, South Africa
I. Introduction
Live Like a King : Die Like a King
A. Carmi
1 Dying
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 The Bitter End
And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his
son ... :
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places, how are the mighty fallen ...
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death
they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than
lions ... How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished (II Sam.
1: 17, 19, 23).
The Philistines were preparing themselves for the last deathblow. They still remem
bered their shameful defeat at the hands of Saul. They hoped to exploit the quarrel
between Saul and David to reestablish their domination of the Israelites. When the
Philistines mustered their forces in the valley of Jezreel, Saul marched out with his
army to meet them, and camped near En-Harod at the foot of Mount Gilboa. Saul
bravely led the Israelites to meet the Philistines, but in the ensuing engagement the
Philistines clearly had the upper hand right from the start and the Israelites broke
into flight, leaving many dead behind them on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines were
able to apply their own fighting technique in the plateau of the valley of Jezreel, tak
ing advantage of their heavy spears and armor. When the Philistines overcame their
enemy in the valley, the Israelites tried to escape uphill; however, the Philistines
caught up with the Israelites and surrounded them.1 Most of the Israelites were
killed, including the sons of Saul: Jonathan, Avinadav, and Malkishuah. Saul fled
up the mountain with a group of warriors, but they were soon attacked by the horse
men and bowmen, who brought the war to its bitter end.
1.1.2 Two Accounts
Two accounts are given of the death of Saul. In the first he is hard pressed in battle
and commits suicide. In the other, an Amalekite finds him suffering from extreme
1 Liwar, 1964, p 142
