Euthanasia

In the last century and especially today, the concept of Euthanasia. Euthanasia in our modern language results from the word euthanatos, a greek word meaning the "easy death" (from "eu-" and "thanatos"). But what is Euthanasia? It is the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals. These individuals may be seen as persons or domestic animals, while the concept of death is seen in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.

For the ideals of those who want to achieve a life within the borders and boundaries of the Jedi's Way, there must be a given thought on matters of Euthanasia. The major concept to respect life in all forms and existences is centered within the Jedi's Way, yet you must keep the following in mind:

1. Who are you?
2. What are your goals?
3. How do you relate this to your Community?
4. How do you condemn your actions to your Ideals, Creed and Belief to the Jedi Culture and the Force?

As the questions arise, perhaps this shall serve as minature conclusion to this matter:

Jedi do things for the benefit of others and even themselves and their community - while they do not see their personal self as dominating factor for their activities.

As you consider this facsimile of thought, a "benefit of others" can be seen as the act of Euthanasia towards a person. Such individuals are often considered to be sick through an uncurable disease. Such diseases are reluctantly destroying the physical existence of the individual - cancer will destroy necessary parts of the body as i.e. the liver, the lungs or the brain. Other diseases focus on the mental state of the individual only. In most cases, such diseases are the results of a damaged brain, or the process of a damaged brain. Nevertheless, the final stage for the individual will be suffering through pain, insanity and death.

As you may instantly select the "benefit of others" as a prime directive, you may present it before your own self as you set it over the benefit for yourself and your community. But can this act be evaluated within the means and conclusions for the benefit of this certain person to live another day in pain, insanity - and with the preset dominational thought of death?

Or is it more feasable to let this person suffer from this disease for another couple of weeks in the hope that there is suddenly a cure against the disease?

It always depends on the first question: Who are you? From there, you may be tempted to find an answer. Whichever way you decide, you must ask yourself again: What are my goals? Do you want to help this individual through the act of euthanasia, or instead aid through the act of waiting for natural death or a possible cure?

Upon reaching this point, you must combine your answers with the answers of those who are with you. You must consult other people - as it is your duty within a community. Be it family, friends, society, or an organization - all of them may fit. How do these people refer to these two questions?

Here you embark to the phase of expecting your own time of judgement sometime in the future - as it might be important for you to find a way to justify your actions before your religious belief, creed, intentions and ideals.

If you completed this phase of questions and have reached this point, you possibly within a mixture of a variety of feelings and emotions. Within this example, we shall dare to assume that you are not fitting the principles of ignorant cold individuals. In fact, you must relate all questions to the person you wish to let die, or let live. Can you bring justice to this?

That brings up the question: Who are we to determine the next phase of evolution?

We can play "Judge" - as some call it a "God" - and decide for this individual to make a step in this or that direction. Yet we cannot determine the future - our own evolution. Only through our activities of the past and present, we can reflect evolution to these means - within ourselves, within our community, within our culture, and within our society.

In the end, it is a very interesting topic. The question of Euthanasia is surely an interesting blow to society and the society where you find and participate in Jedi Communities. If it is legal before the law, is it legal before your religious identity, too?


Compiled and created in February 2003