Kuolema ja kipu

Författare

• Leila Jylhänkangas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30666/elore.78495

Abstract

In this article the representations of suffering are analysed in the context of Fin- nish talk on euthanasia. The research data consists of letters in which ordinary people express their opinions about euthanasia, assisted death. In light of the data, there seems to be at least three distinct views people sustain about euthanasia, terminal illness and dying. The first is the denial of assisted death on the basis of Christian ethics and the sacredness of life. However, according to this discourse, pain and suffering at the end of life should always be alleviated. The second view on euthanasia is the approval of assisted death on the basis of unbearable suffering. The third way to talk about dying and euthanasia is a floating discourse in which opinions towards assisted death are not decisive but rather hesitant. The data is analysed by using a category-theoretical method and metaphor analysis.