Is dying young worse than dying old?
In contemporary Western society, people experience the deaths of older and younger persons differently. We are disposed to feel that the death of a small child is a greater injustice than the death of an older adult, and we experience correspondingly greater sorrow, anger, regret or bitterness when a very young person dies. This article examines these responses critically to determine whether they are backed by ethical considerations that reason can discern and defend. We contrast contemporary attitudes with those of ancient Greece and show the relevance that different attitudes toward death have for health care decision making.
Jecker
N S
NS
University of Washington, Department of Medical History and Ethics, Seattle 98195.
Schneiderman
L J
LJ
D000367:Age Factors; D001293:Attitude to Death; D026689:Ethical Analysis; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006801:Humans; D028681:Moral Obligations; D018579:Patient Selection; D040841:Resource Allocation; D012935:Social Justice; D012945:Social Values