The Tension Between Technological Imperatives and Deeper Existential Desires of Dying Patients

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There is this tension and sometimes even outright conflict between the technological imperatives of medicine and the deeper existential spiritual desires and longings of dying patients. I think listeners who have Had a loved one die may instinctively pick up what how that tension works out. And why it sometimes feels like everyone is on this Just train towards Prolong trying to prolong every bit of life at the expense of these deeper values It's such a great question, some friends of mine are up in boston at harvard and Tracy bell bony Is a radiation oncologist there.

Curtis and guest Dr. Lydia Dugdale talk about life and death issues (literally) that affect every single human being. How do we face death? How can we die well? What are the cultural and medical forces that are leading so many to die poorly? Why are the practices of physican-assisted suicide and euthanasia gaining momentum and acceptance - and why has the Christian pro-life movement missed the deep connection between those practices and abortion?

Dr. Lydia Dugdale is a professor at the Columbia University Medical School and a national leader in medical ethics. She is the author of The Lost Art of Dying.

SHOW NOTES:

Free PDF download of The Lost Art of Dying study guide.

A pilot project in NYC that provides end-of-life resources for church leaders.

An excellent compilation of Christian writing on euthanasia and related end of life issues.

Coverage about Canada’s euthanasia industry in Plough Magazine and the New Atlantis.