Published: 2016-11-12

ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF (IN)HUMAN TREATMENT OF A HUMAN BEING

Kazimierz Gryżenia
Pedagogical Forum
Section: Topic
https://doi.org/10.21697/fp.2011.2.05

Abstract

Boethius’ definition of a person: Individua substantia rationalis naturae was recognized as classical and has not lost anything of its meaning, although throughout centuries many new elements showing uniqueness and complexity of personal existence have been noticed. It was highlighted that a human being as a person predominates nature and any community. Recently there has been a clash of two totally diverse standpoints. One of them represented by classical, metaphysical thought according to which a human being is a person from the very fact of existence. Always, from the beginning till the end - regardless of age, acquired skills, qualifications and functions performed – a human being is a person, invariably he/she is what he/she is and therefore he/she is entitled to unquestionable canon of rights and on our part to the duty to respect and love. Representatives of the other standpoint multiply criteria which exclude more and more people from the circle of persons. Persons are not children in prenatal period, newborns, old, sick and disabled people as well as those facing death. The former group of human beings are ‘not yet persons’ and the latter are ‘ex persons’. The quality of their life is lower than the quality of a healthy animal’s life. The status of being a person is reserved only to people who are fit, self-reliant and participate in social life in an active and creative way. Liquidation of the weakest that is abortion and euthanasia is an indispensable requirement to ensure high quality of life to the’ better ‘and ‘stronger’ ones. It can be easily concluded that such attitude may bring about real danger of ‘inhuman’ treatment of a human being, dehumanization and savagery.

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Gryżenia, K. (2016). ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF (IN)HUMAN TREATMENT OF A HUMAN BEING. Pedagogical Forum, 1(2), 71–96. https://doi.org/10.21697/fp.2011.2.05

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