Birth and living

Further information: Eugenics

The concept of being "well-born" is not new. On the whole, it takes on a fairlyracistundertone. TheNazispracticedeugenicsin order to cleanse the gene pool of what were perceived to be unwanted or harmful elements. This "race hygiene movement inGermanyevolved from atheoryofSocial Darwinism, which had become popular throughout Europe" and the United States during the 1930s.^[25]AGermanphrase that embodies the whole nature of this practice islebensunwertes Lebenor "life unworthy of life."^[26]

In connection with healthcare philosophy, the theory of natural rightsbecomes a rather pertinent subject. After birth, man is effectively endowed with a series of natural rights that cannot be banished under any circumstances. One major proponent of natural rights theory was seventeenth-centuryEnglishpolitical philosopherJohn Locke. With regard to the natural rights of man, Locke states,

If God's purpose for me onEarthis my survival and that of my species, and the means to that survival are my life, health, liberty and property — then clearly I don't want anyone to violate my rights to these things.^[27]

Although partially informed by his religiousunderstanding of the world, Locke's statement can essentially be viewed as an affirmation of the right to preserve one's life at all costs. This point is precisely where healthcare as ahuman rightbecomes relevant.

The process of preserving and maintaining one's health throughout life is a matter of grave concern. Once alive, how should people exercise their natural right to preserve their life through good health? At some point in every person's life, his or her health is going to decline regardless of all measures taken to prevent such a collapse. Coping with this inevitable decline can prove quite problematic for some people. For EnlightenmentphilosopherRené Descartes, the depressing and gerontological implications ofagingpushed him to believe in the prospects ofimmortalitythrough a wholesomefaithin the possibilities ofreason.^[28]

Death and dying

Further information: Euthanasia

One of the most basic human rights is the right to live, and thus, preserve one's life. But what about the right to die, and thus, end one's life? Needless to say, this is a very controversial topic. Often, religious values of varying traditions tend to seep into the picture in one fashion or another. Terms like "mercy killing" and "assisted suicide" are frequently used to describe this process. Proponents of euthanasiaclaim that it is particularly necessary for patients suffering from a terminal illness.^[29]However, opponents of a self-chosen death purport that it is not only immoral, but wholly against the pillars of reason.

In a certain philosophical context, death can be seen as the ultimate existentialmoment in one's life. Death is the deepest cause of a primordialanxiety(Die Anfechtung) in a person's life. And it is in this emotional state of anxiety that "the Nothing" is revealed to the person. According to twentieth-centuryGermanphilosopherMartin Heidegger,

The Nothing is the complete negation of the totality of beings.^[30]

And thus, for Heidegger, humans finds themselves in a very precarious and fragile situation (constantly hanging over the abyss) in this world. This concept can be simplified to the point where at bottom, all that a person has in this world is his or herBeing. And no matter how individuals proceed in life, their existence will always be marked byfinitudeandsolitude. The prospect or self-realization that one's life is about to end is quite frightening to say the least. But why is this the case? When considering near-death experiences, humans feels this primordial anxiety overcome them. It robs them of speech and thought, but not feeling. Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to recognize the onset of this entrencheddespairin patients who are nearing their respective deaths.

Other philosophical investigations into death examine the healthcare's profession heavy reliance on scienceandtechnology(SciTech). This reliance is especially evident in Western medicine. Even so, Heidegger makes a rather fascinatingallusionto this reliance in what he calls the allure or "character of exactness."^[31]In effect, people are inherently attached to "exactness" because it gives them a sense of purpose or reason in a world that is largely defined by what appears to bechaosand irrationality. And as the moment of death is approaching, a moment marked by utter confusion and fear, people frantically attempt to pinpoint a final sense of meaning in their lives.

Aside from the role that SciTech plays in death, palliative careconstitutes a specialized area of healthcare philosophy that specifically relates to patients who are terminally ill. Similar tohospice, this area of healthcare philosophy is becoming increasingly important as more patients are preferring to receive healthcare services in their homes. Even though the terms "palliative" and "hospice" are typically used interchangeably, they are actually quite different. And the major difference resides in the fact thathospice careis a benefit associated withMedicarewhilepalliative careis not.^[32]As a patient nears the end of his life, it is more comforting to be in a private home-like setting instead of a hospital. Palliative care has generally been reserved for those who have aterminal illness. However, it is now being applied to patients in all kinds of medical situations, including chronic fatigue and other bothersome symptoms.^[33]